President Hakainde Hichilema has said his Government will make amendments to the Public Order Act to enhance the country’s democracy.
President Hichilema said it is important that the Public Order Act addresses issues that made it easy for the Patriotic Front -PF- to abuse it while in power.
He wondered how the same Public Order Act that was used by previous regimes was interpreted differently by the PF.
The head of State also said the Government is determined to revisit the Political Party Bill to address issues of concern after the previous Government failed to conclude the matter.
President Hichilema said this when African Union Observer Mission to Zambia delegation Leader Ernest Bai Koroma paid a courtesy call on him at State House.
He said his Government will ensure all political party cadres abide by the rule of law because no one is above the law.
President Hichilema said he will create an environment that will enable the Police service to operate freely and professionally.
He said his administration has also allowed the media to self regulate and ensure they are Professional in their duty to disseminate balanced and accurate information.
The Head of State also said there is need for Electoral reforms so that the election process is not biased to any political party.
And President Hichilema said his Government will continue to engage with various stakeholders and use their goodwill to benefit the country.
He said considering Zambia’s external and domestic debt which stands at about $20 billion , his Government will ride on the goodwill of stakeholders to reconstruct the economy.
And Dr. Koroma said the AU observer mission will work with Zambia to ensure the country continues being a shining example of democracy.
He however said there is need for the Government to address many issues among them the Public Order Act and the low participation of women and youth in the Electoral Process.
Don’t be in a rush to amend that bill…….
You already see the sour lemons supporting the clique trying to cause tribal warfare ……..
If you are too quick to amend, don’t be suprised if the clique resorts to terrorism and sabotage to unseat UPND…….
Good idea but be careful with the clique of thieves. Sata avoided it and the humble thief did also. You may give them more space for them to make the country ungovernable. You have seen how they want to use tribalism to run away after stealing.
Come on Sir, it’s not only the PF that abused the POA. All goverments have used it to suppress dissent since 1955. I understand that you don’t want to ruffle more feathers like you did with the RULING CLIQUES.
It is farming season, give police officers fertilizers and send them on 3 months leave.
They have nothing to do, they can’t even arrest ACC officers
DON’T AMEND IT. USE IT THE WAY CHAGWA AND PF USED IT SUPPRESS ALL DISSENTING VOICES.
HH7 i have a feeling you will be accorded the same respect that the citizens of this country accorded the late levy Patrick mwanawasa may his soul RIP… i remember how sata could go around calling his friend cabbage and the man just tolerated him, thats democracy for you: tolerance… but imagine then calling lungu edgar- jonathan mutaware ‘my friend’ hell would break loose on you…
Keep up the good work bally please strengthen the institutions of democracy.
Edgar China Lungu can’t believe his luck! And his lying corrupt cronies GBM, GL, CK, KZ with him!
HH is really afraid of PF, is it only PF that defeated UPND? Every sentence is PF when will you Mr president graduate from mentioning PF in every address that you make? Please Mr president PF is not going anywhere any time soon. The PF showed that Zambia can do it that is the positive part the negative part of PF, you Mr president have grossed over a little too much. We need law enforcement to take over not political statements which border on political battles.
Come on HH, completely get rid of the POA, not convenient piecemeal amendments to cherry pick what you like. Zambia already has enough laws to deal with any form of criminality. This archaic, colonial era POA used to stifle divergent political views needs to be completely repealed… with laws like “insulting the president” as a criminal offence, instead of being dealt with under civil libel laws if someone feels offended. I’m starting to get disappointed by HH as I’m not seeing real, revolutionary change as I was hoping for. I think he advisors are no good. The assumption that you can perpetuate and prolong your stay in power but punishing your rivals using the law that is applied unfairly is completely wrong as we have seen time and time again.
You promised to repeal the Public Order Act, not to amend it.
The government in power always want to keep the POA. HH is doing the same. He should repeal this act. To make a real difference we need to limit the powers of the POZ. And empower our institutions