CHIEFS REJECT BILL 7
…disown Chief Chisunka’s endorsement as his personal opinion
By Thandizo Banda
THE much hyped endorsement of Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill 7 of 2025 by Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people of Mansa District of Luapula Province has received a swift backlash from other traditional leaders who have said they have not been consulted.
Last week, Chief Chisunka, chairperson of the Luapula Province Council of Chiefs, was quoted by a government controlled newspaper as announcing that chiefs in the region were in full support of the controversial Bill 7, which is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly soon.
But a number of chiefs from Luapula and other provinces have distanced themselves from Chief Chisunka’s statement with Chief Mabumba, also of the Ushi people of Mansa District, Luapula Province, leading the pack.
Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers Thursday, Chief Mabumba said the communiqué unveiled by Chief Chisunka and reported by state media represented his personal opinion on the matter because he had not consulted other chiefs who might have different views.
Chief Mulongwe of the Ng’umbo people of Chifunabuli District, Luapula Province, shared Chief Mabumba’s view.
He said the Constitution amendment process was a sensitive issue which should be handled with a lot of care because it required consultation.
“We were not consulted. Chief Chisunka was communicating his own opinion and not our collective resolve as chiefs of Luapula [Province]. There is need to build consensus because this document belongs to the people of Zambia.This sensitive matter should be handled with utmost care,” Chief Mulongwe said.
Meanwhile, Chief Chikupili of the Lala-Swaka people of Luano District in Central Province says the speed at which government is rushing the constitutional changes raises suspicion among stakeholders.
He said government should have listened to the numerous appeals not to amend the Constitution until the Zambian people had agreed in totality with the process and the proposed amendments.
“We also wonder why almost all the provisions being proposed in the Bill 7 are election related. The timing is not right. The delimitation of constituencies can be done even without amending the Constitution because it’s provided for under Article 58 of the Constitution, which gives the mandate to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to delimitate every 10 years,” Chief Chikupili noted.
He said amending the Constitution a few months before a crucial general election was a misplaced priority by United Party for National Development (UPND) administration.
“They should have prioritised developing rural areas like here in Luano. Let them end poverty, load shedding and economic challenges and not rushing to amend the Constitution,” Chief Chikupili said.
Chairperson of Eastern Province Chiefs Council Chief Mnukwa of Chipangali District said traditional leaders in the region had not been engaged on the bill and the Constitution amendment process.
“We would have appreciated had we been fully informed about what’s being suggested and [the reason for] its urgency,” he added.
House of Chiefs chairperson Chief Choongo of Monze District, Southern Province, said chiefs across the country were expected to gather this week at provincial councils of chiefs meetings to discuss the bill and other contentious matters.
“We expect to make our submissions as chiefs on what we would want included in the Lands Act and the republican Constitution,” Chief Choongo said.
The UPND’s insistence on amending the Constitution despite widespread opposition from stakeholders such as opposition political parties, the Church, civil society and activists has raised suspicion about the motive behind the proposed changes.
