By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
GOVERNMENT has announced that it will subject the Bill of Rights and contentious clauses in the Constitution to a referendum to be held simultaneously with the 2016 general elections.
A referendum is a direct vote in which electorates are asked to vote on a particular proposal and the same may result in the adoption of a new Constitution, a constitutional amendment, or a law.

. Simbyakula

Justice Minister, Ngosa Simbyakula who is also Acting Chief Government spokesperson announced at State House yesterday that Cabinet had approved the recommendation by his ministry to commence the enactment of a new Constitution by Parliament.
He said that the enactment of the new Constitution would be done in a phased manner by taking to Parliament non-continuous clauses.
“Cabinet approved the recommendation by the Minister of Justice to commence the enactment of a new Constitution by Parliament in a phased manner by taking to Parliament non-contentious  clauses and subjecting the Bill of rights and contentious clauses to a referendum to be held simultaneously with the 2016 general elections” Dr Dr Simbyakula.
Dr Simbyakula said that Cabinet also approved the recommendation to appoint members of the electoral commission as members of the referendum commission to prepare for the referendum.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has approved the recommendation by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to create six new constituencies in order to cater for the six new districts whose boundaries cut across constituency boundaries resulting in the constituencies belonging to more than one district.
The new constituencies are Chirundu which was under Siavonga, Sioma which was under Sinjembela, Chembe under Mansa central, Nkeyema under Kaoma central constituency, Ngabwe which was under Kapiri Mposhi constituency and Sinda which was under Kapoche constituency.
Dr Simbyakula, however, disclosed that there will be no elections in the six new constituencies until the general elections in 2016.
He said this was aimed at enabling the ECZ to register voters when it commences the voter registration exercise in August this year.
In another development, Cabinet has approved the recommendation to amend the Customs and Excise (Ports of Entry Routes) (Amendment) Order in order to extend the operating hours of Kasumbalesa, Chembe and Mukambo border posts from 12 hours to 24 hours.
Dr Simbyakula said this was aimed at decongesting the borders and improve trade between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Cabinet has further approved the negotiation parameters between Government and the Trade Unions for improved salaries and conditions of service following the President’s announcement during the Labour Day celebrations.
The ninth Cabinet meeting since President Edgar Lungu took office which lasted for two days (11-12 May 2015) also tackled on a number of issues including the introduction of a transport management system aimed at reducing the cost of running the huge Government fleet.
Dr Simbyakula said this would result in Government saving approximately K10 billion per year in managing transport in institutions in the three arms of Government as well as in the Quasi-government institutions.
He said that Cabinet also approved the appointment of Members of Class “A” of the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) Board of Directors and Financial Intelligence Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which soon be announced by the Finance minister.