Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Renowned Constitutional Lawyer, John Sangwa has described Parliament’s passage of the constitution bill which was signed into law by President Edgar Lungu as a scandal.
Mr. Sangwa says the amended constitution is largely deceptive and full of lacunas.
Speaking during a Law Association of Zambia public forum in Lusaka last evening, on whether government has delivered a people-driven Constitution, Mr. Sangwa says Parliamentarians simply passed certain clauses without thoroughly examining and analyzing them.
He notes that while the co
nstitution itself is not bad, the legitimizing process was the one which was problematic, as politicians did not study the contents of the constitution bill before passing it.
Mr. Sangwa adds that what Zambia has is an amended constitution which contains the desires and wishes of the politicians and not of the people.
He says he foresees a situation where the amended Constitution will be subjected to another review process in the future because it is not people driven.
And Mr. Sangwa has called on Zambians to respect the amended constitution and familiarize with it and make use of what has been provided.
He says as Lawyers they will make sure that they defend the constitution even though they are not in support of certain clauses because it is their obligation.
Mr. Sangwa has however, singled out the clause on the Grade 12 certificate requirement for people seeking elective political office as progressive, and will help people understand the value of education.
Speaking at the same discussion, Law Association of Zambia President George Chisanga says the amended Constitution cannot be called a people driven constitution because of the fact that it was not subjected to a referendum.
Mr. Chisanga says Zambia now needs political will if the country is to have a people driven constitution.
He has since urged Zambians never to give up in their quest to have a people driven constitution.