JOHN SANGWA SAYS QUESTIONING THE CONSTITUTION IS LIKE QUESTIONING THE BIBLE
Constitutional lawyer argues that questioning the Constitution undermines its authority, just like doubting the Bible.
Lusaka, Zambia, September 23 – Prominent Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa has stated that people should not question the Constitution, comparing it to how Christians never question verses in the Bible. Speaking on Radio Phoenix’s Let the People Talk programme, Sangwa emphasized that attacking individual provisions of the Constitution is an act of lawlessness.
“Have you ever heard a Christian question the Bible? We never question, we don’t say this particular verse is in conflict with that verse. We take the Bible and make sense out of it. The same applies to the Constitution. You do not pick one provision and run with it; you have to look at the Constitution in its totality as an instrument,” said Sangwa. “It’s wrong, it’s actually an act of lawlessness to attack individual provisions of the Constitution. You cannot question the validity of the Constitution.”
Sangwa further explained that the five-year election cycle is unchangeable, as it is clearly stated in the Constitution. “The tenure, that five-year period can never be shifted. The Constitution says every five years, on the second Thursday of August, there shall be an election. Whatever happens, it will not affect the election date,” he added, dismissing concerns about a lacuna in the law.
Sangwa also took a swipe at those criticizing the Constitution, arguing that it is dangerous to question its authority without solid evidence. “Saying there’s a lacuna is attacking the Constitution. If you’re challenging the Constitution, what is your reference point? There’s no room for your feelings when you’re dealing with constitutional matters. It says what it says, and we have to accept it,” he stated.
In a critique of the UPND government, Sangwa wondered why they didn’t point out the gaps they now claim to see when they helped pass the current Constitution. “This document is a bipartisan product between PF and UPND. If there are gaps, why didn’t they see them when they were passing the bill? We have to live with the Constitution until there’s evidence that its provisions have failed,” Sangwa noted.
The constitutional lawyer also commented on the ongoing load-shedding crisis, describing it as a failure of leadership and planning. “Three years into your administration, and power generation is now a crisis. They should have started putting measures in place the moment they got into office. I didn’t vote for you to give me excuses,” Sangwa remarked.
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John sangwa , explain to me and the nation at large why ECL stood for election in 2021 when he had already served for two terms in office and also why didn’t the former president hand over power to the speaker.. those are some of the outstanding questions or lacuna people are not happy with.
Sangwa you can not compare the two. One is made by man the other is inspired by God.
The British dont have a constitution. The Americans do and parts of it have been amended.
From what you suggest. Are the Americans wrong?
All this hoopla that you suggest is wrong and misplaced. From your misunderstanding of the context of parts of the President’s speech to this. One would question your ability to stand before the bar and the state counsel that you hold.
Lets not be zealot about the law.
Sangwa is becoming a joker. He seems not to understand what he is talking about.
The bible is a spiritual book inspired by God and is, therefore, infallible whileas a constitution is written using human wisdom and is prone to mistakes.