Draft to be given to Hichilema – Technical Committee
By a Correspondent
THE Christopher Mushabati-led Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments has concluded its sittings and is expected to submit its draft report to President Hakainde Hichilema before the end of November.
Chairperson Christopher Mushabati announced yesterday at a press briefing the committee would submit its report to Hichilema following the completion of the collection of submissions.
Justice Mushabati thanked Zambians for their “overwhelming participation” in the constitutional review process.
“Others who came forward to have their voices heard in this country in the international process included civic leaders, civil society organisations, the labour movement, business community, the Church, farmers, marketeers, students, students unions and the general public. Of particular note was the high turnout of traditional leaders in all provincial centres. Their wisdom, clarity and insight were invaluable,” he said.
Justice Mushabati said it was particularly encouraging to see citizens from all walks of life, including traditional leaders, youths, women and persons with disabilities, actively make their submissions.
He said the committee was now focused on compiling and analysing the submissions from various provinces and districts.
Justice Mushabati said a comprehensive report would be prepared and presented to the President.
The committee’s vice chairperson and spokesperson Dr Landilani Banda said the opposition expressed by some stakeholders toward the ongoing amendment process was a sign of a healthy and functioning democracy in Zambia.
Many scholars, including respected constitutional law and international human rights expert Professor Cephas Lumina have condemned both the process and appointment of the Mushabati Technical Committee as illegal and defiance of the Constitutional Court’s judgment.
The court declared the foundation of the process under Bill 7 unconstitutional and therefore illegal and ordered that the process be started afresh.
But the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration turned the illegal bill into the terms of reference for the committee to give it a semblance of legality instead of starting the process all over again as the ConCourt ordered.
