By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has welcomed President Edgar Lungu’s directive to review and amend the Public Order Act.
President Lungu urged responsible officers and institutions to expedite the process.
LAZ president George Chisanga said the association had persistently opposed the Public Order Act in its current form and was elated by the pronouncement by the President to review the law.
During his address to Parliament, Mr Lungu directed Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula and his Home Affairs counterpart Davies Mwila to facilitate the amendment of the Public Order Act.
LAZ sued the Government in 2013 over some sections of the Act arguing that it had been applied with bias and contravened the Constitution.
Mr Chisanga said in an interview that LAZ was ready to render support regarding efforts aimed at amending the piece of the legislation.
“We sued the Government over the Public Order Act and we are very elated by the pronouncements by the President because we have always argued that the Public Order Act is unconstitutional.
“We would like to urge those that have been directed to ensure that this process is quickened, we hope there will be no further delays,” he said.
The President’s directive was also welcomed by the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD).
SACCORD executive director Boniface Cheembe said the piece of legislation had been a source of
trauma, tension and conflict in the country.
“We believe that as long as the POA is not reformed it would continue to contribute to political violence in the country and it is for this reason that we are welcoming the directive by the President.
“We hope that the mandated ministries will now move with deliberate haste to amend the law by availing the nation a roadmap for reforming the law,” he said.
Voter Education Zambia Campaign (VEZC) executive director, Kaengele Mulenga said the call by President Lungu to review the Public Order Act was crucial in enhancing the country’s electoral process and democratic governance.