One of Zambia’s top opposition parties, UPND, is ready to join the Law Association of Zambia and challenge President Michael Sata’s colonial Public Order Act and his decision to ban the use of foreign currency using Statutory Instrument No. 33 of 2012 through litigation in the High Court.
President Sata and his ministers as well as supporters have recently praised the Public Order Act which infringes on the freedom of assembly, association and free speech.
During their time in the opposition, the PF promised to repeal the legislation but to the surprise of many, cops such as Dr Solomon Jere are rewarded with top positions for enforcing an oppressive legislation.
LAZ, for the first time in months, have come out to challenge the incessant breach of the Constitution by President Sata and his government and now the UPND whose rallies have been blocked through the Public Order Act are ready to support the noble cause.
The party’s secretary general Winstone Chibwe says UPND believes that the stance taken by LAZ will help reduce tension in the country and further strengthen democracy.
Chibwe disclosed in a statement that the UPND legal team will be meeting to discuss with LAZ and see whether the party could join the proceedings.
The Law Association of Zambia has indicated that it will challenge in the High court the constitutionality of the Public Order Act and the issue of who can be acting president in the absence of President Sata.