THE OFFICE OF REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES REQUIRES REFORM
When ZNBC put up the portrait of the Father of the Nation, KK, I realised that ZNBC had begun to create the mood for celebrating the second anniversary KK’s day, April 28 1924.
On that basis I felt restrained from commenting on a petty issue of the threat to de-register the PF. Many good things have been said on KK, both in the past and now, but sadly lessons not learnt.
It is just ironical that our leaders in government are using the KK as a symbol of peace, unity and love for the country; in the meantime taking measures such as de-registration of PF which threatens same peace, unity and love for the country.
This is just below their required statesmanship. Period. The discussion and debate was just in bad taste in light of the occasion of the anniversary of that great leader. This is not pushing Zambia forward.
I have argued elsewhere that the registrar of societies in this country operates in the spirit of the colonial police officer. In 2012, I undertook a week long study tour of the Swedish Democratic Model and I was I shocked to I learn that in Sweden there is no office of registrar of societies because they believe that freedom of association is a fundamental freedom. Political parties and societies kept the records. The registrar of societies is threatening to de-register PF because of the omission of certain leaders on the official list submitted in 2021. In the 21 century, parties and societies keep submitting annual returns to the registrar for nothing. Let us repeal or amend the Societies Act now.
Next year, 2024, we will celebrate 60 years self-rule, but still struggling to define the mandate of the office of registrar of societies in a democratic state. This is just silly and an indictment of leaders failing to move the country forward on fundamental freedoms such as freedom of association and assembly.