THE hue and cry the nation has witnessed in the last week is unjustifiable because the government has assured that the constitution-making process is on schedule.
It is absurd for opposition parties and civil society organisations to accuse the government of intending to tamper with the final draft of the new Constitution.
We are relieved by the assurance by chief government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya that the government is committed to working with all stakeholders in writing the new constitution that will not only stand the test of time but also embody the people’s aspirations.
We agree with Mr Kapeya that President Sata has a free, frank and objective approach to national issues, and there is no need to doubt his commitment to delivering a people-driven Constitution.
The alarm and tension the consortium of civil society organisations are trying to create by making wild allegations, none of which they can prove, will only lead to more delays in the conclusion of the process.
The Technical Committee tasked to draft the Constitution has completed its work by producing the second and final draft of the document.
It is now up to the government to chart the way forward in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
So far neither President Sata nor Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba has made any public pronouncement on the next step because the government is waiting for the committee to hand over the draft to its appointing authority.
As Mr Kapeya has stated, the constitution-making process is an important national undertaking which should be void of partisan inclinations, unwarranted ultimatums and threats.
No single influence bloc can claim to represent the interests of all Zambians because that is impossible.
We are therefore baffled by attempts by the constitution activists to mount a campaign aimed at discrediting the government over a process which is on course.
While the matter is tempting to those looking for the smallest opportunity to salvage their sagging political fortunes, it is immoral to use it to poison public opinion against the government.
The gathering at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Saturday was unnecessary. It was a waste of precious time and human resources because the constitution-making process is squarely on track.
We urge all peace-loving Zambians to refrain from actions that could endanger national security, but pursue the noble route of dialogue whenever there is a disagreement.
What is even stranger is the claim by the MMD that the Patriotic Front government is intending to doctor the final draft of the new Constitution.
When did the opposition party’s acting president Michael Kaingu even pluck enough courage to raise his voice against the government over the constitution-making process?
Does he think Zambians have forgotten how the MMD government, in which he was a Cabinet minister, spent huge sums of public money on the controversial constitution-making process only to change its mind and deny Zambians the desire of their hearts?
As for the United Party for National Development (UPND) it is easy to understand its desperation. It has the potential to remain an opposition party in perpetuity because of its narrow support base and regionalised appeal.
There is no need to stage demonstrations when the government has not done anything that suggests a loss of heart or change of mind on the new Constitution.
Mr Kabimba has explained that the 10 copies that will be presented to President Sata and relevant government organs at State House are for ceremonial purposes.
The government does not intend to do anything that will be contrary to the resolve it has demonstrated since the whole process began about two years ago. Let there be mutual trust as the country moves closer to a new Constitution.
364 total views, 287 views today