Zambia: Convention Resolves to Adopt Constitution Through Referendum

By Enock Ngoma and Chila Namaiko

DELEGATES to the on-going National Constitution Convention on Sunday unanimously resolved to adopt the Constitution through a referendum after the final document is submitted to President Michael Sata and the general public by June 30, 2013.

The delegates have meanwhile proposed for the amendment of Article 27(1) to stop people who would want to practice homosexuality and lesbianism and other abominable practices in Zambia.

The convention chaired by Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi proposed that the referendum should be held within 90 days of the submission of the draft Constitution to Mr Sata.

In his contribution on debating the referendum, former Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa said the period in which the Constitution should be adopted was critical and fundamental.

He proposed that the Constitution should be adopted through a referendum within 90 days.

A headman from Chiengi District who is former Finance Minister in the MMD government Katele Kalumba proposed that Parliament should enact enabling legislation to adopt the draft Constitution through a referendum.

"Mr chairperson, it is very important that Parliament must enact an enabling legislation to allow for the adoption of the draft Constitution through a referendum," he said.

Heritage Party leader Godfrey Miyanda was, however, concerned with the proposal to hold a referendum within 90 days, saying that was a one answer question.

"We are in a country where majority of citizens are not even aware that we are here at the National Constitution Convention at Mulungushi in Lusaka," he said.

Meanwhile, delegates have proposed that Article 27(1) in the draft should be amended to specify and stop people who would want alien practices such as homosexuality and lesbianism.

Article 27 (1) on civil and political rights states: "A person has the right not to be discriminated against, directly or indirectly, on any grounds including birth, race, sex, origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, pregnancy, health, marital, ethnic, tribal, social or economic status."

Keembe Member of Parliament (MP) Ronnie Shikapwasha said the Article should be specific to effectively stop people who would want to practice immoral vices in Zambia such as homosexuality.