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By BARNABAS ZULU THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has reported that the cost of living in Zambia has remained high and unaffordable for most Zambians despite efforts by government to reduce it. In their March 2025 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) report, JCTR Executive Director Father Daniel Mwamba Mutale noted that the […]

By ROGERS KALERO THE Zambian Contractors Advisory Centre (ZCAC) has said Zambia is not a dumping ground for the unqualified expatriates who have not only recorded a lot of failures in their career path, but have also contributed to the ruining of the Zambian mining sector. Mr Nsofwa said the so called expatriates who had […]

By GRACE CHAILE EMBATTLED Robert Chabinga has run back to the High Court in an attempt to freeze his expulsion by applying to the Lusaka High Court to stay its ruling and proceedings in which the court has refused to replace Miles Sampa with him as leader of the Patriotic Front (PF). Mr Chabinga, who […]

By GRACE CHAILE A DUBAI-BASED gold trader, Nikolai Smolenski, has claimed ownership of K8.1 million held in a First National Bank Zambia account linked to a failed gold purchase deal. The Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri has sought to forfeit the funds to the state, citing their connection to a fraudulent gold transaction involving […]

By BARNABAS ZULU SPEAKER of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has expressed happiness with the proposed constitutional amendments and has called on Zambians to support the UPND government in its quest to alter the country’s supreme law. Minister of Justice Princess Kasune Zulu on Wednesday announced the road map for the constitutional amendment process whose […]

FROM experience from the process of amending the constitution is one that demands legitimacy, consensus, and broad-based support. The current rush by the government to push through constitutional amendments, despite opposition from the church and civil society, is a dangerous disregard for the principles of inclusivity and public participation.

While it is true that Parliament has the legislative authority to pass these amendments, the Constitution itself is founded on the premise that sovereignty belongs to the people. As the preamble clearly states, “We the people” bequeath ourselves the Constitution.

If these amendments are passed without broad consensus, they will lack legitimacy and undermine the very foundation of democratic governance.

A constitution is not an ordinary piece of legislation that can be altered at the whims of the political class. It is the supreme law of the land, a social contract that embodies the will and aspirations of the people.

Therefore, any attempt to change it must be guided by principles of transparency, inclusivity, and consensus-building. The current government’s approach—pushing amendments through Parliament without sufficient public engagement—raises serious concerns about its commitment to democratic values.

History provides ample evidence of the dangers of rushed constitutional amendments that lack popular legitimacy. In many nations, unilateral changes to the constitution have led to instability, public unrest, and a loss of trust in democratic institutions.

When a government bypasses the people in such a fundamental process, it breeds suspicion and deepens divisions within society. It is no surprise that the church and civil society have voiced their opposition to this process.

Their stance reflects the broader concern that constitutional changes should not be driven by political expediency but rather by the collective will of the people.

Moreover, legitimacy in constitution-making is not just a matter of procedural correctness; it is about moral and political authority. Even if the government secures the necessary votes in Parliament to pass the amendments, it will not erase the perception that the process was exclusionary and undemocratic.

Laws imposed without broad-based support often fail to withstand the test of time. A constitution that lacks legitimacy becomes a source of contention rather than a unifying framework for governance.

To safeguard the integrity of the Constitution, the government must embrace a more inclusive approach. This means engaging all stakeholders—political parties, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens—in a genuine dialogue about the proposed amendments.

The process should be guided by the principles of participation, transparency, and national interest rather than narrow political calculations.

If the government persists in its current path, it risks not only legal challenges but also a crisis of legitimacy. The Constitution belongs to the people, and any amendments must reflect their collective will.

Without legitimacy and consensus, constitutional changes will remain mere political maneuvers—devoid of moral authority and destined to sow discord rather than unity. The government must slow down and listen to the people, lest it erodes the very democratic foundations it claims to uphold.

A Michigan resident died earlier this year after contracting rabies from an organ transplant, health officials said.

A remote Australian town that will soon lose its only doctor is offering a salary of up to 680,000 Australian dollars ($428,000), plus free rent and a car, to attract a new candidate.

By NATION REPORTER

MILES Sampa has demanded that Rober Chibinga’s seat should immediately be decalred vacant because the embattled Mafinga Member of Parliament along with his cohort, Morgan Ng’ona had been fired as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and secretary general respectively and had since been expelled from the former ruling party.

Yesterday however, Mr Chabinga ran back to the High Court from which he made an application, seeking that the court should freeze his dismissal and expulsion from the former ruling party.

“There is a known practice in this House and a precedence has been set. When secretary generals of the party writes, to advise (on the status of a party member), this Parliament responds. The PF wrote last time, the letter was written at 12:00 hours and at 14:00 hours the changes were effected in the House,” Mr Sampa said.

“We wrote two days ago talking about the changes of the Leader of the Opposition, and for Chief Whip. The Opposition Chief Whip is Brenda Nyirenda and the Leader of the Opposition is Madam Mulenga Kampamba but 48 hours later, no changes have been effected,” Mr Sampa complained.

He explained that the front seats for the opposition was empty because there was no body to offer direction as he had expelled Mr Chibinga and Antony Mumba from the PF.

“Madam Speaker, are we in order to ignore our own precedence and ignoring our own rules?” Mr Sampa asked.

But First Deputy Speaker Malungo Chisangano in her response said: “I have not seen that communication ….order MP for Mambilima, the language is not good. Can you withdrawal? The feedback is still coming. Definitely the feedback will be given to you. I cannot comment since it has not come to me directly,” Ms Chisangano said.

By BARNABAS ZULU LIMULUNGA is facing a significant threat as a swarm of red locusts has infested over 410 hectares of maize fields in Luena Constituency. Agriculture coordinator for Western Province, Rodwel Muntanga, confirmed that 2, 000 hectares out of 54, 000 in the region have been affected. “The infestation is not limited to Limulunga,” Mr Muntanga said. “Similar crop damage has been reported in the Sinjembela area of Sioma.” In response to the crisis, provincial Permanent Secretary Simomo Akapelwa led a fact-finding mission with officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, and the International Red Locust Control Organisation.  Mr Akapelwa described the situation as a disaster, stating, “The government is committed to managing and containing the red locust infestation to protect the region’s food security.” The government has already begun motorised spraying to contain the spread of the pests. Aerial chemical spraying has been recommended for the affected areas in […]