The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has expressed its concern over the threatened cancellation of the registration of the Patriotic Front (PF) political party by the Registrar of Societies.
Chief Registrar of Societies Thandiwe Mhende has written to the Patriotic Front, notifying it of her intention to deregister it for failure to avail a complete list of office bearers.
Ms. Mhende has advised the opposition party to make representations, within seven days upon receipt of the notice, to show cause why the party should not be cancelled.
But NGOCC Board Chairperson Grace Sinkamba said the proposed cancelation of the registration of the Patriotic Front if effected would negate the democratic gains Zambia has made.
Ms. Sinkamba said said the important role of political parties in the country’s democratic governance system cannot be over-emphasised.
She said the Registrar of Societies’s role of promoting compliance must not be to the detriment of the country’s democracy as espoused in the Republican Constitution.
Ms. Sinkamba said as opposed to threatening de-registration, the Registrar should instead be supporting Societies, including the PF to ensure that they are compliant in the best interest of democracy and good governance.
“Th Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is deeply concerned by the threatened cancellation of the registration of the Patriotic Front (PF) political party by the Registrar of Societies and is urging the former ruling party to urgently address the compliance issues raised so as to ensure the party remains a legal entity in the interest of the country’s democracy.Zambia’s Constitution which states that we are a democratic and multi-party State, recognizes the important role of political parties in the governance of the country. The important role of political parties in the country’s democratic governance system cannot be over-mphasised. It is against this background that we remain concemed with the threatened cancelation of the registration of
the Patriotic Front as it would negate the democratic gains made by the country,” Ms. Sinkamba said.
She said the de-registration of the PF has the potential to negatively affect the citizen’s right to freedom of Association which is guaranteed by the Constitution.
“While recognizing the legitimate role of the Registrar of Societies to promote compliance of Societies, it is our considered view that this must not be to the detriment of the country’s democracy as espoused in the Republican Constitution. State institutions such as the Registrar of societies should be more concerned about deepening the country’s democratic culture. As opposed to threatening de-registration, the Registrar should instead be supporting Societies, including the PF to ensure that they are compliant in the best interest of democracy and good governance. As already stated, Zambia is a multi-party state and the de-registration of the PF has the potential to negatively affect the citizen’s right to freedom of Association which is guaranteed by the
Constitution,” Ms Sinkamba said.
She also reminded political parties to ensure that they fulfil their legal requirements as provided by the societies Act Chapter I 19 of the laws of Zambia so that they are not found wanting and ultimately.
“We also urge political parties to ensure that they fulfil their legal requirements as provided by the Societies Act Chapter I 19 of the laws of Zambia so that they are not found wanting and ultimately disadvantage the Zambian people. The leadership of the PF should as a matter of urgency submit the requirements as demanded by the Registrar of Societies. It is our hope that all political parties, including the governing party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), are compliant with the provisions of the Societies Act. As the women’s movement we are keenly following the implementation of the rule of law and its unbiased enforcement in the present and future. With this. we would like to urge the Government to immediately review all laws that tend to stifle and close the civic space including the complete repeal of the NGO Act of 2009,” Ms. Sinkamba said.
Meanwhile, PF Information and Publicity Chairperson Raphael Nakacinda says it’s a shame that the Registrar of Societies has resorted to threatening to deregister the party instead of simply reminding the members to fulfill all requirements.
In a letter dated April 25, 2023, addressed to the PF Secretary General, Mhende informed the party that she intends on canceling it following its failure to comply with regulations.
These people called politicians are one and the same. They do exactly what they criticised the ruling party they replaced. They are taking us for a ride
There is an urgent need to consider deregistering millers smuggling meal mealie into neighbouring countries.
Patata.. those are the enemies not an opposition party.
A simple reminder can do but like the Kabushi and Kwacha fiasco, there’s an evil motive behind. When I am late for my business renewal, the council simply sends me a reminder without fanfare.
There’s no difference in brutality between the PF and Upnd. The difference is that Upnd are doing it ” privately”
It’s the PF that has created the fanfare by releasing the Registrar of Societies’ letter to the media. They just needed to comply and thank the Registrar of Societies for the reminder.
Mrs Grace Sinkamba of NGOCC,your statement is misdirected.You are projecting the Registrar of Societies as the erring partyy,here.Please advise PF to just comply with the requirements of the law.Zambia is governed by the rule of law not the whims of PF.Our democratic gains cannot be lost should PF be deregistered.There are many other law-abiding political parties to fill the gap,We would have by-elections and PF seats can be up for grabs by other parties or individuals.Thats democracy and good governance for you
The thinking that some people should be held above the law is repugnant. What is so difficult for PF to follow the law? Who needs an outlaw society? That is PF for you, promoting lawlessness.
What’s the use of de registering a party that is in the doldrums. Just assist them to comply and let them continue existing otherwise who is going to entertain us.
What the Registrar of Societies did was lawful and that’s the reason the PF has complied. Deregistration was never going to happen but it always remains a regulator’s weapon of last resort to ensure that the law is upheld. If what the Registrar was asking the PF to do had no legal backing, the PF would have dragged her to court. Remember the PF has more money to fight legal battles than sense to quietly comply.
well said and the responsibility belongs to the party to follow the law and lead by example and thanks NGOCC for your encouragement