LAZ Slams Government’s Constitutional Reforms
…………”A Top-Down Sham with No Real Stakeholder Input”
Lungisani Zulu, the President of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), has fiercely criticized the government’s approach to the proposed constitutional reforms, calling the process a “top-down sham” that risks failing due to a lack of meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Zulu’s comments come as the New Dawn government continues its push for constitutional amendments, including proposals for proportional representation, eliminating by-elections, and ensuring more inclusive governance.
Speaking in a statement issued to kumwesu, Zulu stated that “The government is moving ahead with constitutional reform without adequately consulting the very people it is meant to represent. This is a classic case of the government trying to dictate to the people rather than listening to their concerns,” Zulu stated.
He went on to emphasize that constitutional reform is not a simple matter of passing a few policies; it requires a deep, broad-based dialogue involving political parties, civil society, and the general public. “If this reform is to have any legitimacy, there must be transparent engagement with all stakeholders. The government cannot claim to be representing the people when they’ve left them out of the conversation,” Zulu remarked.
Zulu also expressed concern about the haste with which the government is pursuing the reforms, suggesting that such an approach could undermine the democratic process. “What’s the point of reforms if they’re being rushed through without real public input?
We’re just setting ourselves up for failure if we don’t take the time to properly engage all parties involved,” he warned.
The LAZ president also took issue with the government’s lack of transparency in outlining the specifics of the proposed changes.
“We’re hearing about reforms, but no one knows what they actually entail. This secrecy creates distrust and confusion among the people. How can the public support something they don’t even understand?” Zulu questioned.
Furthermore, Zulu called on President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration to halt the current reform process and focus on a more inclusive, transparent consultation. “Constitutional reform is too important to be treated like a political game. The president needs to prioritize genuine engagement with all Zambians. Only then can we ensure that the reforms reflect the true will of the people,” Zulu concluded.
March 15, 2025
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