Chief government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti has challenged Zambians to enlighten themselves with the contents in the constitution than the mode of adoption.
Mr. Mulongoti says the contents in the constitution are paramount to the people to
debate on if they are to know the defects that the current constitution has.
He explained that it is the collective wisdom of Zambians that will make aconstitution that will  stand the test of time.
Mr. Mulongoti, who is also Information Minister, was speaking in Mufulira at the council chamber when he addressed stakeholders on the proposed government constitution roadmap.
He called upon the civil society to actively participate in constitutional matters  so that they explain to the people about what is expected of them.
Mr Mulongoti said government has proposed the roadmap that has been translated from
recommendations of the Mung’omba Constitution Review Commission which will not cause wrath on the people.
The minister noted that people advocating for the adoption of the constitution through a constitute assembly have not considered some defective clauses in the current constitution that need to be addressed before the process of enacting the
new one is done.
He said clauses, such as Articles 62 in the current constitution, which gives power
to the Parliament to legislate over constitution matters will be transferred to the
constitute assembly (CA).
He said the government is not comfortable with the CA because there is no guarantee
that the assembly will be a representation of the people.
The Chief Government Spokesperson said government has asked the people to be
realistic in their demands for the CA and not being emotional.
He charged that the people must support the roadmap suggested by government of 87
weeks because of the hurdles that have to be looked at and it is not its wish to
rush through the process.
Mr. Mulongoti advised the people not to worry about the period to enact the new
constitution because it is meant to benefit the young who are future leaders and not
president Mwanawasa.
He said the comment that the President made not to vote for the CA was not to rise
emotions of some people but that he is concerned with the process that the civil
society is proposing.
And Mr. Mulongoti has said government will not allow the view of people who do not
accommodate the other people’s views.
He said the debate is of national interest and people must be allowed to exercise
their rights to participate in the discussions.
Mulongoti and his Levy ashould not mislead the people of Zambia over the adoption of the constitution.
From Levy and Mulongoti’s talking, it is evident that MMD is not ready to give the Zambian people their much needed new Costitution.
Country men and women, like Bob Marley sung, ‘Get up Stand up, fight gor your rights’ We need to fight for our rights. Levy Mwanawasa and Mike Mulongoti do not own the so called financial resources they calim the Consaitituent Assembly will cost. If Levy is worried about money, let him pay back to us Zambian people tha 150 vehicvles the Supreme Court ruled about three years ago. What about the K63billion that Mwanawasa’s top civil servants have stolen?
Constitutional amendment through CA is a one-off thing while deveopment is an on-going process.
That very constitution Levy’s refusing us Zambians will assist reduce this electoral embezzlement Levy and Chiluba have introduced to Zambain politics.
VIVA CA, Abash Levy and Mulongoti
Mulongoti, now you are begining to reason better than other politicians.The starting point was to let this document made simple in all languages and let people read with the help of their MPs so that they can appraise themselves with rules of the land.Unlike where it has become a document for the ‘elite’by and large lawyers who want to champion every clause secretely imbeded in it.
To use Parliament which is underrepresented is not very democratic as the opposition will always be out numbered.Our current crop of MPs’ wisdom is suspect and nothing worth to go by, that is why CA would be the best route irrespective of the cost factor involved
what is wrong with this chap.the current constitution can be changed to the will of the people.why is this quack being so defencive over straight things.yes there are clauses in the current cnstitution that do not support a CA BUT THEY CAN BE CHANGED.
Briliant point Mike but you are the one who is suppose to spearhead the discussion by infusing the debate about the contents of the constitution.You have the most effective means of communication just bring out the issues that are contetious in the constitution into the main stream media and we have lawyers from every language to come and break it down for the pipo.We are no longer dociel we know who is for us and who is not.You are playing your cards very close to your chest and that is cause to worry.What use is the for zana,znbc,zis,etc.We do have alot of civil servant who are fluent in local language.Let have pipo put some of those local language talent into use and earn them a living
A lot has already been said on the constitution making process, why repeat the same things ?. This time around please just facilitate the implementation of the recommendations, how many times are we going to hear about the road map which is not implemented. ?