Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has expressed gratitude for the positive public reception of the proposed constitutional amendments presented by the Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune, yesterday. According to Mr. Mweetwa, the announcement has quelled rumors regarding President Hakainde Hichilema’s alleged desire to extend his tenure to seven years, a claim that was widely circulated by detractors.
“We are pleased to report that ever since the announcement of these proposed amendments, the majority of citizens have responded positively,” Mr. Mweetwa said during a media briefing. “This proposal has put to rest the misinformation surrounding President Hichilema’s intentions about altering his term of office.”
During the briefing, Mr. Mweetwa, who also serves as the Minister of Information and Media, clarified that there is currently no draft bill in place for amending the Constitution, contrary to some claims circulating in the public sphere. He emphasized that the amendments proposed by Minister Kasune are not finalized but are instead part of an ongoing process that encourages input from citizens and stakeholders.
“These proposed constitutional clauses are not set in stone,” Mr. Mweetwa explained. “The purpose of presenting them to Parliament is to initiate discussions and allow for public comments as we work towards achieving a minimum consensus on the potential amendments.”
He went on to explain that the proposed changes are aimed at addressing certain constitutional provisions that have been hindering the efficient functioning of government. These changes are intended to resolve administrative challenges that have been affecting service delivery.
“Some clauses in the current Constitution are posing challenges to government operations,” Mr. Mweetwa noted. “It is crucial that we address these issues to improve service delivery and ensure that this government can meet its commitments to the people of Zambia.”
While discussing the proposed constitutional amendments, Mr. Mweetwa also touched on the issue of increasing the number of elective seats. He clarified that the decision on the number of seats to be added to the existing 156 will be determined by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
“It is within the mandate of the ECZ to assess and recommend changes to the number of elective seats based on constituency delimitation and ward boundaries,” Mr. Mweetwa said. “This is a matter that falls squarely within the ECZ’s responsibility, and the proposed increase in seats will be in line with the constitutional requirements for periodic assessments of electoral boundaries.”
The government’s stance on the proposed constitutional amendments is clear: they are intended to address pressing administrative issues while providing an opportunity for public engagement and feedback.