Failure to review POA irks SACCORD

Boniface Cheembe

The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says Zambians should demand for an apology from Government for failure to review the archaic Public Order Act despite an assurance that it will be amended before the August 11^th general election.

SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe says it is disappointing that government has failed to honor its promise of reviewing the controversial Act.

Mr. Cheembe says the failure by the PF Government to call stakeholders to a round table discussion on the Public Order Act has also contributed to failing to review the act.

He says the PF Government had the entire five year period to deal with this archaic piece of legislation.

Mr. Cheembe says it was heartbreaking to hear Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila tell Parliament that the Act will remain in its current form because the quality of submissions received from stakeholders was not be adequate.

He says to the contrary, relevant stakeholders on several occasions engaged the Ministry of Home Affairs on the issue, but that there was no political will.