Unilateral decisions, is recipe for exit – Canisius cautions PF

Governance stakeholders have dismissed government‘s insinuation that they are reluctant to make recommendations towards the review of the Public Order ACT.

Home Affairs Minister Davis Mwila has reminded stakeholders not to complain if government goes ahead with amendments to the Public Order ACT without their input owing to their alleged reluctance to submit recommendations towards the review of the legislation.

The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has however stated that it has already submitted its recommendations of how it expects the ACT to be amended.

Executive Director Boniface Cheembe has told Qfm News that his organization made the submissions shortly after President Edgar Lungu indicated his administration’s intention to have the law reviewed.

Mr. Cheembe says what SACCORD wants government to do is to formulate a clear roadmap to indicate the timeline of the amendment process, besides giving regular updates to the nation on the progress that it will be making in reviewing the ACT.

But the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has expressed ignorance about government’s call for submissions for the review of the Public Order ACT.

Secretary General Susanne Matale says her organization has not received any formal communication to the effect that it should submit recommendations.

Reverend Matale says CCZ could not rely on calls made through the media for recommendation to be submitted.

She has told Qfm News in a separate interview that the CCZ is on the other hand doubtful that the PF government would consider any recommendations from other stakeholders considering what is happening with the constitution making process.

Rev Matale says the PF government makes decisions unilaterally.

And the opposition UPND has cautioned the PF government that the amendment of any law without the support of the people cannot stand.

UPND vice president for politics Canisius Banda has advised the PF government to realize that making unilateral decisions is in fact recipe for being removed from office.

Dr. Banda has to Qfm News that this is owing to the fact that the governance of a Democratic country like Zambia is reposed with its people and not the party in power.

QFM