Mumbi Phiri Threatens Resignation Over Bill 10

PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri has threatened to resign over Bill No.10, also known as the Constitution Amendment Bill. Phiri has offered herself as a guarantee, claiming that if clauses that have been rejected by Zambian are included in the final version of the Bill she will resign her position.

Phiri’s comments come as Parliament resumes and following the publication of the Bill by Government before it comes before the National Assembly once again.

Minister of Justice Given Lubinda presented the Bill on 12 June 2020 during a press conference in which he stated that the document was being shared publicly in a bid to stop misinformation regarding its contents.

Its publication has not brought an end to criticism, however. Among those to continue to challenge the contents of the Bill are GEARS Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi, who claims that Government has failed to fully listen to the demands of the people.

According to Chipenzi if the Government means well the only course of action is the Bill’s withdrawal. He describes the drama, fiasco and chaos associated with the draft legislation as “embarrassing indeed.”

Chipenzi’s full analysis of the gazetted Bill of 12 June 2020 reads as follows:

“Other than the Bill 10 objects remaining the same and the numerous typos in the regazetted amendments, it contains only about 5 changes to the contentious issues.

These include 1) removal of a coalition govt, 2) removal of the 3 year term for an inheriter of a presidential term; 3) retention of 14 days to hear and determine a presidential petition; 4) retention of parliamentary approval to contraction of loans, agreements, contracts and treaties and 5) retention of a clause on retirees to remain on payroll until paid their dues.

The rest remains the same way they are presented in the original Bill 10 e.g. public officers to resign two year before an election when they want to participate in elective politics; ministers to remain in office until the next general election; president to create, divide a province without parliament approval as prescribed;

Others include: the composition of Parliament to be relegated to subsidiary legislation to be determined by a party with majority in Parliament; parliament never to dissolve on its own as is provided currently under Art 81(3);

the mayors/chairpersons and their deputies to be elected by their fellow Councilors and their of office term reduced for mayors/chairpersons to 21/2 years; chiefs to be recognised either by custom, tradition and culture or by President (confusion in the making);

MPs and ministers to be back into councils as Councilors; bloated govt still retained with the inclusion of deputy ministers, provincial ministers, Chief whip of the ruling party;

The president has been empowered to effect appointment despite parliament refusal or delay to ratify the nominee and the constitutional directive for the President to refer such a refusal or delay to ConCourt deleted;

The definition of a chief now includes those chiefs only recognised by govt and not custom, culture and traditions, among many undemocratic articles.

In essence, the regazetted amendments/changes have changed nothing to the Bill to say the least.

Withdrawing is the answer if truly this govt means well on this Bill 10. We can’t continue with this drama, fiasco and chaos associated with the Bill 10. It is embarrassing indeed.”