GEARS Initiative executive director McDonald Chipenzi has joined other stakeholders who have turned down an invitation by the National Assembly of Zambia to make a submission on the Bill No.10 before the a parliamentary select committee.

In his letter dated September 2, 2019, which was addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Chipenzi stated that his organization would not make any submissions because the Bill had been challenged in the Constitutional Court by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and Chapter One Foundation.

“Re: Invitation to make submissions on Bill no. 10 to the Select Committee of Parliament. We wish to acknowledge with thanks receipt of your letter dated August 2019, wherein you invited GEARS Initiative Zambia to submit its views on the ramifications of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, to the Select Committee of the National Assembly and attend the said committee’s meeting on 6th September 2019. We greatly appreciate the consideration. However, it has come to our attention that the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, is been challenged/contested in the Constitutional Court of Zambia by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and Chapter One Foundation,” Chipenzi stated.

Chipenzi stated that making submissions to the Bill would be subjudice.

“In respecting the doctrine of the Separation of Power, we strongly feel that appearing before the said committee of Parliament and make submissions on the matter being challenged in court will be sub-judice. We, therefore, regret to inform you that we will be unable to attend or make submissions to the said meeting until the case is disposed off,” stated Chipenzi.