Friday, January 31, 2025

Government’s scattered statements on constitution confusing people – Matale

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Technical Committee:TECHNICAL Committee on Drafting the Constitution spokesperson Ernest Mwansa speaking during a media briefing, as other members (from R to L) Patrick Mvunga, Reuben Lifuka, Suzanne Matale, Simon Kabanda, Chief Luchembe (third from left), Mwangala Zaloumis and Lubinda Aongola listen in
Technical Committee:TECHNICAL Committee on Drafting the Constitution
spokesperson Ernest Mwansa speaking during a media briefing, as other
members (from R to L) Patrick Mvunga, Reuben Lifuka, Suzanne Matale,
Simon Kabanda, Chief Luchembe (third from left), Mwangala Zaloumis and
Lubinda Aongola listen in

Oasis Forum Chairperson Suzanne Matale says the scattered, uncoordinated and incomprehensible statements government officials are making on the constitution are a clear indication that the constitution is no longer a priority of the Government.

Reverend Matale says the PF Government should be reminded that the people of Zambia were attracted to the PF party’s agenda in the run up to the 2011 elections mainly because of the promise to deliver a people-centred constitution.

She says the people of Zambia strongly believe and know that a people-centred constitution is not only a pre-requisite but the most dependable guarantor of a democratic, sustainable and equitable development environment.

She says it is meaningless to continue issuing statements that are aimed at misinforming, misguiding and confusing the people of Zambia, adding that the claim that there are no resources to deliver the constitution and furthermore, to conduct a referendum is baseless.

Reverend Matale says resources would be mobilised if there was political will to do so at leadership level.

She adds that it is untrue and mischievous of the PF government to continue giving the people of Zambia the impression that the Technical Committee on Drafting the Constitution is still working on the document, when the people are fully aware that the Committee is no longer sitting, and that the document has been ready to be handed over to the Republican President for a long time now.

Reverend Matale further stresses that it is not helpful for Government to start insinuating that the people of Zambia now have different priorities than those expressed during the run up to the 2011 general elections.

She states that delivering a people-driven constitution was and is still part and parcel of the top list of the priority needs of the majority of Zambians.

11 COMMENTS

  1. We want ACTION on this NOW! No more evasions and subversions.

    If Sata and his PF cannot deliver the CONSTITUTION as promised, we need to kick them out NOW! We cannot wait for 2016 for this. We know it will be used to rig the elections.

    CONSTITUTION NOW OR GET OUT YOU USELESS F00LS!

  2. Zambia needs a new constitution now more than the so called infrastructural development.The new constitution will guide governance of the resources needed for infrastructure develpment and assist in the reduction of corruption as politicians will be held accountable and there will. be effective checks and balances by the opposition parties.

  3. This is history in the making, “we the people of Zambia demanding a new constitution from a taciturnity government”.

  4. The only thing lam not sure is why every government finds it difficult to enact the constitution. We truly need a constitution than a good man. men can change but what keeps them in check its the institution in place. Also men change others who may come may not be good men but what will keep them good its the institution in place. Obama is bound by what he found in place, that safeguards the resources and the potential abuse of power or authority. If we all saw the need for a new constitution, then what has happened now?

  5. Ailing dictator Michael Sata should be compelled to provide a roadmap for the constitution-making process.He is the initiator of the various misleading statements which have been issued by Wynter Kabimba and other useless PF ministers.Sata does not want democracy and good governance in Zambia hence his decision to frustrate the Technical Committee’s work.Zambia needs a new constitution now and eliminate Sata’s misrule.

  6. This technical committee is toothless. You were mandated with a task, which you have completed. Surely, how can handing over the report become such a big issue? If government does not want to get the report, then give the report to them on a public forum, a highly publicized event in order to embarrass them. Now you have been made to look like lost fools.

    President Sata, please sir, for once take heed and listen to the voice of the people, not your PF stooges, but the people. Also remember your promises during your campaigns, the constitution was a major issue. How then can you turn around after spending billions of tax payers money on the exercise and relegate it to the dustbin. Don’t you feel that you are letting yourself down, SIR? For once, put the party politics aside…

    • All this prevarication and insincerity from this government is but a clear testament of a fear of something by the government. This conversion against a people driven constitution is more profound than that of Paul’s conversion on his way to Damascus. I guess they know with the new constitution in place, they definitely won’t make their desired second term.

  7. It is not us who are getting confused. We know what we need to govern ourselves well. This is confusing more especially the already confused and useless PF ministers and MPs.

  8. This constitution thing is making me sick all the time I think about it. Someone who spearheaded the whole thing before elections promised to give it to the people within a period of 90 days appointed a technical committee to speed up things, now the thing is ready the same person comes and refer us to the old constitution and say we have no constitution crisis, the same thing he did with BA64 after appointing the committee on his own when it is time to hand over the report he turns down his promise before even reading the committee’s findings. People please I am sure in Zambia we are rich where educated people are concerned most Zambians are working in diaspora we do not lucky educated people why are we failing to find the solution to all these problems why are we pushed left right…

  9. Rev. Matale you are part of the reason why we are at this junction, of no new constitution abd bad governance. Recall how you well vocal on the Radio Phoenix Let the People Talk Programme. You called Chanda Chimba III also sort of names. Yes, you rev. Matale you are a contributor the mess Zambia is in.

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