DON’T CHANGE CONSTITUTION TO IMPRESS ONE MAN, SAYS JONAS SHAKAFUSWA

• Former Katuba Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa cautioned Zambians against altering the Constitution to suit an individual.
• He warned that such a decision could lead to national regret.
• Shakafuswa emphasized that the Constitution should not be tailored around one person or a particular political agenda.
• His statement highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the nation's foundational legal document.

He explicitly stated that the supreme law of the land ought not to be crafted or adjusted to revolve around an individual.

Jonas Shakafuswa, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Katuba, has issued a significant caution to the Zambian populace regarding any potential amendments to the nation's Constitution. His recent public statement underscores a deep concern about the motivations behind such changes, specifically warning against alterations designed to accommodate or impress a single individual. This intervention highlights a critical debate surrounding the integrity and purpose of a country's foundational legal document.

Shakafuswa's admonition is not merely a suggestion but a stark warning about the long-term consequences of such actions. He articulated that if the Constitution were to be reshaped to suit the agenda or preferences of one person, the country might face profound and lasting regret. This sentiment emphasizes the gravity of constitutional amendments and the need for them to serve the collective good rather than individual ambitions.

The core of Mr. Shakafuswa's message revolves around the principle that a nation's Constitution should remain above the influence of any single personality or political entity. He explicitly stated that the supreme law of the land ought not to be crafted or adjusted to revolve around an individual. This stance reinforces the idea that constitutional frameworks are meant to be enduring and impartial, providing a stable foundation for governance that transcends transient political figures.

His caution extends to the notion that the Constitution should not be tailored to a particular political inclination. While the source text ends abruptly, the implication is clear: the document should serve as a neutral arbiter of power and rights, rather than a tool for any specific political faction. Such personalization, he argues, could undermine the very democratic principles the Constitution is designed to uphold, leading to instability and a potential erosion of public trust in the legal system.

The former Katuba MP's remarks serve as a reminder of the fundamental role a constitution plays in a democratic society. It is intended to be a robust and impartial framework that defines the powers of government, establishes the rights of citizens, and sets the parameters for political conduct. When this foundational document is perceived as being manipulated for the benefit of an individual or a specific political agenda, its legitimacy and effectiveness can be severely compromised.

Shakafuswa's warning underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of constitutional processes. Amendments should ideally emerge from broad consensus and a genuine need to improve governance or protect rights, rather than from a desire to consolidate power or cater to personal whims. The potential for national regret, as he highlighted, stems from the long-term damage that can be inflicted upon democratic institutions when constitutional principles are sacrificed for short-sighted political gains, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for future generations.

Source: Original reporting via The Zambian Observer