By Angela Moonga
Movement for National Renewal (MNR) founder John Sangwa says they will seek legal redress to enforce compliance over the continue delay to register the movement into a political party.
”MNR has made it clear that, in the event of non-compliance, it will take all necessary legal steps to enforce compliance with the Constitution and the authority of the Constitutional Court. This may include proceedings to ensure adherence to the Court’s directive and to safeguard constitutional rights,” Sangwa stated in a media release.
He stated that MNR had formally raised serious constitutional concerns regarding the requirements imposed by the Registrar of Societies in relation to its application for registration submitted on March 23, 2026.
”This follows the recent judgment of the Constitutional Court delivered on 2 April 2026 in The Legal Resources Foundation Limited v The Attorney General (2025/CCZ/0020), in which the Court directed that the Societies Act must be read and applied in conformity with Article 60 of the Constitution. Despite this binding directive, the Registrar has continued to impose a series of requirements on MNR that include: Police clearance and fingerprint certification of office bearers; Approval and endorsement from the Zambia Police Service and local authorities; Recommendation and symbol approval from the Electoral Commission of Zambia; Detailed vetting of leadership, including curriculum vitae and traceable references,” Sangwa stated. “MNR contends that these requirements collectively amount to a multi-layered system of prior State approval, effectively transforming a registration process into a licensing regime. Such a regime, the Movement submits, has no constitutional basis, is neither reasonable nor proportionate, and constitutes an unjustified interference with the right of citizens to freely form and participate in political organisations.”
He stated that the Movement further noted that the continued insistence on these requirements wass inconsistent with the binding directive of the Constitutional Court, and therefore represented a failure by a State organ to comply with the Constitution.
”The urgency of the matter is heightened by the forthcoming general elections, with candidate nominations scheduled between 18 and 22 May 2026.Unless the application is determined promptly, MNR will be effectively excluded from participating in the electoral process,” Sangwa stated. “In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the registration process has already impaired the Movement’s ability to:Mobilise supporters; Organise its structures; and Raise funds through voluntary public contributions.This situation places MNR at a serious and unjust disadvantage in the democratic process.”
He stated that MNR had formally called on the Registrar of Societies to withdraw the unconstitutional requirements immediately; reconsider the application in light of the Constitutional Court judgment and apply the Societies Act strictly in conformity with Article 60.
He stated that the movement had given the Registrar 48 hours to comply and communicate a decision.
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