CHOMA Central UPND member of parliament Cornelius Mweetwa says the review of the Public Order Act has nothing to do with Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 which was shot down, contrary to Vice-President Inonge Wina’s assertions.

During Vice-President’s question time in Parliament on Friday, Vice-President Wina, wondered why some opposition parliamentarians were now calling on government to consider bringing the Public Order Act to Parliament for amendment when the opposition had many opportunities to repeal certain laws but decided not to do so for political expediency by shooting down Bill 10.

But in an interview, Mweetwa said the response by the Vice-President was misplaced as there was no relationship between Bill 10 and the need to amend the POA.

“For us, we do not see the relationship between Bill 10 and the Public Order Act. Bill 10 related to the amendment of the republican constitution and the Public Order Act review has nothing to do with the constitution because whatever proposed or possible amendment do not hinge on the current constitutional provisions. So there is no likely contradiction of what is being proposed to be amended with the existing law. So we think that response perhaps was misplaced as it did not align itself with to what was being requested for,” he said.

And Mweetwa said they would judge PF on what they do and not what they say over the commitment to ensure the law is followed in the handling of the 2021 elections.

“For us, what we would like to say is that we will judge them on what they do and not what they say because actions speak louder than words. So if they come out in the open to say things and they are doing things contrary, we are going to judge them for that. I think the history of the departure to the rule of law is there for all to see and for all who care can only look forward to change of administration so that we can come around the bench and reintroduce the rule of law in Zambia,” said Mweetwa.