Don’t politicise enactment of POA, says Kalaba

WE should not politicise the issue of cabinet approving in principle the introduction of a bill in Parliament to amend the Public Order Act chapter 113 of the Laws of Zambia, Democratic Party president Harry Kalaba has said.

Mr Kalaba said it was high time that the POA was amended because it was archaic and needed to be repealed.

He said the move needed to be commended by all because the POA was not fair to most Zambians.

“Let’s put politics aside and ensure that this move comes to fruition because the POA has not been fair to opposition political leaders who have been unfairly treated,” he said.

Mr Kalaba said the move was in the right direction and Government needed to be given a pat on the back.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Kasonde Mwenda called for meaningful and progressive changes to the POA that would improve the country’s democracy.

Mr Mwenda said there was no better time than now to make the changes to the POA because a number of governments have passed leaving the document in its infamous form.

GEARS executive director, MacDonald Chipenzi said the organisation would support any effort meant to modernise the POA from being a regulator to facilitator or enabler of public assemblies, processions, protests and demonstrations ideal for a flourishing democratic process.

Mr Chipenzi said a review of the Act would open up the civic and democratic space in the country and make Zambia achieve an enabling legislative framework for citizens enjoyment of their constitutional and fundamental freedoms.

He said as CSOs they have already come up with a draft bill which they would share with the relevant authorities for consideration.

Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda said Cabinet indicated that the amendment of the POA was necessary to develop a framework that regulates public assemblies, processions and meetings anchored on constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms.