CARITAS ZAMBIA CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS TO STRENGTHEN SEPARATION OF POWERS
CARITAS ZAMBIA CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS TO STRENGTHEN SEPARATION OF POWERS
Caritas Zambia has called for constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the separation of powers among the three arms of government.
Caritas Zambia Executive Director Father Gabriel Mapulanga says continued concerns over the independence of the judiciary are partly linked to weaknesses in the constitution, particularly the powers vested in the presidency.
Reacting to claims that the executive directed the closure of the High Court and Constitutional Court in Lusaka and other parts of the country yesterday to prevent the Tonse Alliance from filing a petition challenging the August 13 presidential election results, Father Mapulanga has urged civil society organisations to push aggressively for reforms that would guarantee the independence of the executive, legislature and judiciary.
He described the closure of the courts as unfortunate, saying such a decision should not be taken in a democratic country without clear communication.
Father Mapulanga said if the closure was genuinely necessitated by security concerns as indicated by the Zambia Police Service, authorities should have provided the public and affected parties with clear information and alternative dates for filing the petition.
By Elesani Phiri
PN