‘LAZ should stop using institutions to settle political scores’

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 07:15:52 +0000

By Bennie Mundando 

OFFICE bearers at the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) should stop using the institution to settle political scores, Nchanga constituency Patriotic Front (PF) youths chairperson Don Mungulube warned.

Mr Mungulube charged that LAZ in fact owes Zambians a duty to interpret and explain provisions in the new constitution.

He told the Daily Nation yesterday that the inertia and reluctance by LAZ to interpret the constitution on the eligibility of President Edgar Lungu to stand in 2021 was testimony that the institution had become highly politicised.

Mr. Mungulube said it was appalling that instead of giving guidance by interpreting the provisions of the law on such a sensitive issue, LAZ was playing politics by refusing to give its legal guidance on the matter so that Zambians could have a clear understanding of the matter.

He said the on-going debate surrounding the eligibility of President Lungu to participate in the 2021 elections presented an opportunity for the association to exonerate itself from accusations that it was ineffective.

He accused some of the senior members of the association of being opposition political party sympathisers and that their operations were always biased and against government

He said there was  therefore need for sanity at the institution if it was to live up to the expectations of Zambians.

“It is high time LAZ became sober and offered direction on very sensitive issues relating to the Constitution of the land and stop playing politics because that will not help develop the country,

“We would like to send a warning to LAZ that as youths of this country and the future leaders, we will not sit idle and allow that institution entangle itself in unnecessary politics.

Mr Mungulube said that youths in Zambia were are aware that most of the LAZ members were working with the opposition.

“If that is not true, we are now challenging  LAZ to state its position weather President Lungu is eligible to stand in 2021 or not. This is equally an opportunity for LAZ to exonerate itself and reclaim its lost integrity,” said Mr Mungulube.  And Mr. Mungulube has advised the opposition in Zambia not to take offence over what was enshrined in the constitution and stop blaming President Lungu for upholding the constitution which Zambians demanded.  He said the constitution was clear and that the PF’s decision to endorse President Lungu for the 2021 elections was premised on the dictates of the law.   “It is already agreed that President Lungu is our sole candidate for 2021 with or without the convention. As youths in Chingola, we have since indorsed him as the sole candidate for 2021,” he said.