Kazabu praises UCZ’s stand on constitution

Kazabu praises UCZ’s stand on constitution
By Masuzyo Chakwe and Zumani Katasefa
Saturday July 07, 2007 [04:00]

FORMER Kitwe mayor Luckson Kazabu has said the decision by the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) bishops to endorse the constituent assembly as the mode of adopting the new constitution is the right thing to do. Reacting to the pastoral statement that stated that the UCZ would follow the mode of adopting the new constitution through a constituent assembly, Kazabu said as a patriotic Zambian and member of UCZ, the decision by the bishops was his opinion.

He said the CRC had done its job and what was remaining was to deliver the constitution as recommended by the Mung’omba CRC.

“There is a draft constitution and those who have read it will agree that it is a very good constitution. I am glad the spokesperson of UCZ has spoken not the others issuing misleading statements. The synod is right and those of us who are members will go along with that decision,” said Kazabu.

On Thursday, the UCZ in a statement signed by UCZ synod Bishop Mutale Mulumbwa and general secretary Reverend Teddy Kalongo stated that they would follow the mode of adoption recommended by the Mung’omba CRC and called for opposing views on the matter in order to preserve peace and national unity.

They stated that the Constitution being a national document containing the supreme law of the land must be recognised and respected as embodying the sovereign will of the majority of the people.
“It is therefore necessary and unavoidable that the manner of enacting our constitution this time should include the processing and adopting the draft constitution through the CA before enacting it in the National Assembly with the necessary safeguards against watering down the people’s aspirations. This is the only process that would deal adequately with the contentious issues that need a broad national consensus before adoption,” they stated.

The duo asked all UCZ bishops, ministers, lay leaders and youth leaders to explain fully to the people the need for a good constitution that safeguards the rights of the people, promote good and efficient governance and hold those occupying public office and exercised authority fully accountable.

“In arriving at such important constitution, the bishops, ministers and lay leaders should also explain fully the need for a constituent assembly. They should endeavour to explain the importance of the forthcoming referendum and how to exercise their free will in the referendum vote,” they stated.

“Special sermons, talks and discussions to focus on Christian values and principles of our church’s social teaching as applied to current Zambian needs should be encouraged. We call for prayer sessions in all our congregations asking God for guidance, wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit in the forthcoming referendum.”

The duo stated that the UCZ had always stood on the side of what God had revealed to be right and just.

They also expressed concern with, “the unnecessary escalating differences over the Constitution which may threaten our peace and unity”.

“During this runup to the referendum, we invite you to work towards healing divisions, promote reconciliation in your families, your Christian communities, in the nation and your surroundings,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, the Constitution Coalition 2008 (CC2008) on the Copperbelt has urged Zambians to stand up and stop government from dragging the constitution-making process beyond 2008.

In a statement issued in Kitwe and jointly signed by CC2008 chairman Darius Kanse and his secretary Gerald Mutelo, the coalition also demanded that Parliament during its next sitting give legal effect to the constituent assembly and not the constitution conference.
The duo stated that the constitution conference had been politicised, whilst the constituent assembly was non-partisan, and cutting across many non-political bodies.

"The constitution conference is a measure to preserve the government role of preparing the white paper, meaning that the government will drive the constitution-making process and determine the contents of the constitution as before, whilst the constituent assembly will give the people of Zambia the opportunity to drive the process to determine the contents of the constitution, and for once to give themselves a constitution," they stated.

The duo urged civil society organisations, churches, political parties, trade unions, associations and students, members of parliament as well as students to maintain their focus on the constituent assembly.