Professor Alfred Chanda: Warns on Zambia Constitution Manipulation for Power

• Professor Alfred Chanda warned that Zambian politicians frequently attempted to manipulate the constitution.
• He attributed this manipulation to their "obscene love for power" and a desire to cling to office.
• Chanda asserted that politicians would not willingly grant democracy, often creating defective constitutional frameworks to serve their interests.
• The survival of democracy, he argued, depends on an "alert people" who keep politicians under "constant surveillance."

The survival of democracy is contingent upon an active and vigilant populace.

Professor Alfred Chanda, a distinguished legal scholar, issued a stark warning regarding the integrity of Zambia's foundational legal document. His commentary highlighted a pervasive tendency among political figures to engage in the Alfred Chanda Zambia constitution manipulation, driven by what he described as an "obscene love for power." This critical Professor Alfred Chanda legal opinion underscored deep Zambian constitution integrity concerns, suggesting that the very framework of governance is under constant threat from those seeking to consolidate their authority and extend their tenure.

Chanda's observations were not merely academic; they reflected a profound concern for the nation's democratic future and the stability of its institutions. He posited that the inherent desire to remain in office often leads politicians to either directly alter the existing constitutional provisions through amendments or to craft new, inherently flawed legal structures that serve their narrow interests. This pursuit of political power Zambia constitutionally, he argued, is a direct assault on the principles of good governance, the rule of law, and the aspirations of a truly democratic society.

The core of Professor Chanda's argument rests on the assertion that politicians are inherently motivated by a profound, almost insatiable, desire to maintain their grip on power. This "obscene love for power," as he termed it, serves as the primary catalyst for their attempts to subvert or reshape the constitution. Such actions are not accidental but are deliberate strategies aimed at entrenching their position, eliminating opposition, and diminishing the checks and balances that might otherwise limit their authority and ensure accountability.

He further elaborated that this inclination to cling to power often manifests in two distinct ways: either through direct manipulation of the existing constitutional text, perhaps via controversial amendments, or by engineering a "defective" constitutional framework from the outset, designed to favor incumbents. Both approaches ultimately serve the same objective: to create a legal landscape more amenable to the ruling elite's continued dominance, thereby undermining the spirit of Zambia democracy constitutional stability. This ongoing Zambia constitutional reform debate, therefore, is not just about legal technicalities but about the very essence of democratic governance and the distribution of legitimate power.

Professor Chanda firmly asserted that the survival of democracy is contingent upon an active and vigilant populace. He contended that democratic principles and freedoms are not automatically granted or sustained by those in power; rather, they must be actively safeguarded and defended by the citizenry itself. Without an "alert people," he warned, the machinations of politicians seeking to manipulate the constitution for personal gain will inevitably succeed, leading to a gradual but significant erosion of democratic institutions and the fundamental rights they are meant to protect.

To counter this persistent threat to constitutional integrity, Chanda advocated for continuous public oversight and engagement. He emphasized that politicians, due to their inherent drive for power, required "constant surveillance" from the public to prevent them from undermining the foundational legal document. This vigilance is presented as the essential bulwark against the inherent tendency of political actors to prioritize their own retention of power over the broader interests of the nation and the long-term stability of its democratic framework, ensuring that the constitution remains a document for the people, not for politicians.

This commentary underscores the ongoing political pressure on Zambia's Constitution. Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor any proposed constitutional amendments or legislative changes that could arise from these political dynamics, as they may impact legal frameworks, investor confidence, and client operations.

Source: Original commentary via The Zambian Observer.