Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Justice Minister Given Lubinda says the Constitution refinement process will go ahead next month with or without the participation of the Opposition Alliance.
Mr Lubinda says the constitution refinement process will commence as scheduled in the second week of March.
He says government is confident that once this process is complete, the Constitution Amendment Bill which requires a two thirds majority vote in Parliament will go through.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka, Mr. Lubinda has expressed hope that some Members of Parliament from the opposition will vote with the ruling party to pass the Bill.
He states that this is why government believes that the constitution refinement process will succeed despite the indication by the Opposition Alliance not to take part in the process.
Mr Lubinda says government will still solicit all political parties for their input in the draft Constitution Amendment Bill and the Public Order Act amendment Bill during refinement process.
The Justice Minister has also clarified that by launching the Constitution refinement process in March, government has not curtailed the National Dialogue process.
And Mr. Lubinda has encouraged the Opposition Alliance to speedily report President Edgar Lungu to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as delaying in doing so is creating anxiety in the Country.
He says if the Opposition Alliance has no evidence against President Lungu, the Alliance and UNPD leader Hakainde Hichilema in particular, should be bold enough to apologize to the Head of State.
Mr. Lubinda says this is especially if Mr. Hichilema, who has several times accused President Lungu of wanting to assassinate him, wants to dialogue with the President.