THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to withhold assent to the Public Gatherings Bill No. 71 of 2026, saying several provisions of the Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution. LAZ says further engagement and consultation should be undertaken before the Bill is presented for presidential assent. On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed the Public Gatherings Bill amid complaints from various stakeholders and citizens, who described the Bill as being worse than the repealed Public Order Act. In a statement, Friday, LAZ president Arnold Kaluba said while the Bill introduces certain progressive provisions compared to its predecessor, it retains several structural deficiencies, including the adoption of a quasi-permit regime and the criminalisation of peaceful assembly....
