I’m very concerned about the level of political violence and violation of the constitution in Zambia, Zambia believes in constitutionalism and Christianity and Zambian constitution which is the supreme law of the land is clear when it come to violation of any act of Parliament.
But it is saddening to see the people that are given the authority to enforce, interpret and most of all to protect the constitution are now using that same authority to suppress the opposing parties which is unacceptable. The police are abusing the public order act which give right to persons to assemble provided the notification of Assembly is availed to the police, just to protect the party in power and there job. The police service has gone against the provisions of the constitution by turning itself into a police force. This makes the minority or minority citizens to loose confidence in the government institutions e.g the judiciary, the anti corruption commission to mention the few . Freedom of expression is now limited and this has resulted in political violence and tension in Zambia. These should be the matters of rule of law and not political matters.
The dialogue process between the ruling party and the opposition which is the only hope the people has to unit the country is taking long to take off. The people don’t know what there future will be like if these problems are not resolved. The violence is the order of the day in a (Christian nation).
Zambia really needs the international help if peace is to be restored.
Jei Chiila
Constitutionalism lawyer