New constitution before 2016, not possible – Justice Minister Kabimba

Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba who is also the ruling Patriotic Front General Secretary says it is not possible to have the new constitution before the next general elections slated for 2016, reports Zambian Eye Correspondent in Choma.

The PF had promised Zambians during campaigns of 2011 general elections that once voted into office, the party would enact a new constitution within the first 90 days. The PF is now clocking three years in government without a new constitution with growing demands from the opposition and civil society that the document be enacted before 2016.

But Mr. Kabimba told congregants at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Choma today, April 5, 2014 that it is not possible to enact the new constitution before 2016. He said enacting a new constitution that needs a legal process required for holding a referendum that would cost K15 Million to subject the exercise to a referendum.

Mr. Kabimba explained that the process would require hold national census saying all this process cannot be completed before 2016.

The Justice Minister told the congregants that the PF government is still committed to its campaign promise to deliver a new constitution but said it has been constrained by limited resources.

He said cooperating partners willingness to help fund the process is appreciated by government but he said there were a number of developmental projects being carried on and asked the donors to show the same generosity to developmental projects.