By Chinoyi Chipulu
Several opposition political parties and Civil Society Organisations (CS0s) have urged Zambians to rise up and reject UPND’s plans to molest the constitution.
The opposition political parties who rejected President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for constitutional amendments argued that there were no pressing national issues warranting changes to the constitution.
Speaking at a joint press briefing, PF vice-president Given Lubinda said the conflicting statements from State House and government ministers regarding the proposed amendments were concerning.
He said the amendment process by the UPND was deceitful and lacked justification.
“After months of denial, Presidential Spokesperson Clayson Hamasaka finally confirmed that the government has already drafted a constitutional amendment document, which will soon be presented to the public. This revelation exposes the government’s deceitful approach to governance and constitutional reform,” he said.
Lubinda said as a result of the whole process being entangled in a web of lies, minister of Justice Princess Kasune contradicted Hamasaka and the President who had both said there was already was a draft when she stated that there was no draft constitution as of now.
“Princess Kasune said there will be a road map provided soon whilst on the next day, Foreign Affairs minister Mulambo Haimbe said that the process started in 2021 and was now in last stages and there was no need for further road map and going back to gather the people’s thoughts,” he said.
Lubinda said this showed that even amongst the ranks of the executive, there was confusion and no consensus as to what the status of Constitutional reforms were.
He said behind all these lies and apparent confusion was a systematic attempt to change the Constitution in favour of the UPND.
Socialist Party leader Dr. Fred M’membe said it was time for the citizens to rise up and defend the constitution and the country.
Dr M’membe called on security wings to safeguard the country against the proposed changes and remain loyal to the constitution.
He said it was increasingly becoming clear that the UPND government was adamant about effecting constitutional changes against the will and participation of the people.
“The time has come for the people of Zambia to rise up and defend the constitutional reform process as well as their country. We pledge to stand with, lead and defend the people against the UPND government’s undemocratic maneuver. We also call upon the security forces – the police, intelligence services and the military – to remain loyal to the Constitution, to the Zambian masses, not to individual politicians, whether in government or opposition,” he said.
“We commend the immediate past Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Dennis Sitali Alibuzwi, for upholding the army’s non-partisan character. His valedictory remarks serve as a warning against any attempts to politicise the security services.”
He urged the men and women in uniform to reject any unconstitutional orders to suppress peaceful actions by the Zambian people.
He said the right to peaceful protest and other actions in defence of democracy and the Constitution were enshrined in the Constitution and should be protected at all costs.
United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) chairperson Sakwiba Sikota urged the UPND to abandon their unconstitutional plans deal with the country’s challenges.
He said the amendment process was not timed appropriately.
He said the opposition was committed to defend the country’s democracy at all costs.
“We have made some people unhappy today because they thought we cannot come together and meet like this.
These proposed amendments are politically motivated and their primary objective is to secure the UPND’s continued stay in office rather than serving the interests of Zambians,” he said.
Sikota said the opposition political parties and civil society representatives, had convened the press briefing to present their unified stance on the constitutional amendment process initiated by the UPND government.
He said since the Constitution belonged to the people of Zambia, its review must follow an inclusive, legitimate, and transparent process.
“Regrettably, the current UPND government has abandoned this precedent. There is no clear roadmap nor a legitimized framework for dialogue,” he said.
And Gen-Z Zambian Movement representative Thomas Zulu said it was clear that President Hichilema was engaging in serial deceit as he tried to molest the constitution and good governance.
“He must be stopped. We strongly urge the government to abandon its unconstitutional plans. It is a highly dangerous and narrow minded undertaking that would destroy this country,” he said.
Zulu said the government was deceitful hence people should reject their justification of increasing youth and women participation as it was misleading.
He said over the years, the government had failed to appoint youths and women.
“Kasongo Wabufi, mwimumfwila. The current Constitution, under Article 259, already mandates the President to ensure equal representation of these groups in public appointments. The problem is not the Constitution—it is the government’s failure to respect and implement its provisions,” said Zulu.
