By Isaac Zulu
Under President Edgar Lungu the Patriot Front became a criminal organization, says State Counsel John Sangwa.
And Sangwa says he doesn’t want any political position in the UPND government in order to maintain his independence.
Speaking during the Radio Phoenix Let the People Talk programme on Friday, Sangwa said President Lungu allowed party cadres and public service officers to do what they wanted, which resulted in rampant corruption, theft and breakdown in the rule of law.
He said under the Edgar Lungu regime the government institutions collapsed, adding that even the judiciary became compromised.
“Under President Edgar Lungu, the Patriot Front became a criminal organization. The Head of State allowed public officers and party cadres to do what they want at any given time. There was gradual collapse in government institutions, gradual dictatorial tendencies such that this country was becoming a defacto one party state. We saw rampant theft, rampant corruption, the judiciary became compromised. And, ultimately, there was breakdown in the rule of law,” said Sangwa said during the radio programme monitored by Daily Revelation.
The prominent Lusaka based lawyer also said the just ended general election results are a reflection of the rejection of President Edgar Lungu by the Zambian people and not the rejection of the Patriot Front, as a political party.
“I also wish to state that the results from the just ended general election are a reflection of the rejection of President Edgar Lungu by the Zambian people and not the rejection of the PF as a political party,” said.
He further stated that the Patriot Front needs rebranding.
“PF members should not leave the Patriot Front…PF members should not go to the UPND. The PF needs rebranding, the PF needs to restore itself, revamp itself and cleansing so that it becomes a viable political party again,” said Sangwa.
Meanwhile, Sangwa has called for the complete overhaul of the Republican Constitution.
He pointed out that Constitution amendment is inevitable in order to restore public confidence in the judiciary, rule of law and democratic dispensation.
Sangwa, who is a Constitunal Lawyer, stated that: “Bill 10 was intended to restore Presidential powers to the Head of State. They also wanted to reintroduce the office of deputy ministers and, allow serving ministers to stay in office even after the dissolution of Parliament. And any law that undermines the principles of democracy is not a good law. And I am not against Constitution amendments. What I am against is the piecemeal ammendments to the Republican Constitution. So going forward, I propose that we have a complete overhaul of the Republican Constitution. More than ever before, the Zambian people are now fired up for Constitution Amendment,” said Sangwa
The legal counsel observed that all previous Republican Constitutions have been decided by politicians, and as such, lacked consensus.
“All Constitutions in Zambia have been decided by politicians and not ordinary citizens. There has never been consensus from general citizenry. And I want to take this opportunity to state that it was wrong for President Edgar Lungu to indict a serving DPP (Director of Public Prosecution – Mutembo Nchito). You can’t do that as a sitting President,” he said.
He further questioned the existence of the Constitutional Court, stating that it has proved to be a drain on government coffers.
Meanwhile, Sangwa has categorically you today stated that he is not interested in political office.
‘I have absolutely no interest in any political position. Some people have been calling me to accept some political appointment. I don’t want to blow my trumpet. I can manage what I want in life. I have my freedom and I don’t want to have some restrictions on my freedoms and liberties. Right now, I can go anywhere and speak my mind. So for those that want to submit my name to be appointed to political or public office, I want to state that I have absolutely no interest in any public office or policatical appointment,” stressed Sangwa.
And the State Counsel has stated that the Patriot Front leadership had become arrogant.
“Someone is a competitor in a Presidential Election and publicity goes to state that he will win his opponent that he will beat him by 500,000. You even coin the song alebwelelapo pa mupando.Which human does that? That is just some arrogance that witnessed from the PF under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu. The PF leadership just became arrogant,” added Sangwa.
