Transparency International Zambia-TIZ has urged government to implement a clear road map in the process of reviewing the Public Order Act (POA) so as to install transparency and confidence both in the process and outcome of the review.
TIZ President Sampa Kalungu said government needs to make sure that the process is as transparent as possible by stating who exactly is invited to give submissions, how the stipulated submissions must be done, when they will end and who exactly will be looking at the submissions after being successfully submitted.
In an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT Kalungu said there is need to let the public know among other things if there will be a special committee that will be responsible for looking at the submissions apart from the Ministry of Justice since the issue is of great public concern.
He said the process needs to be time sensitive hence the need to put into consideration the activities that will be taking place and key stakeholders that will be involved in looking at whether what the people want is contained in the Public Order Act and is fully protected.
“It is just open for everyone to participate but after its redrafted and reviewed there should be some place where key stakeholders come together and look at if key submissions have been attended to”, he said.
Kalungu noted that he hopes that by mid-next year, everything will be done and concluded.
“Knowing that the United Party for National Development (UPND) went through the face of the brutal Public Order Act, we feel they will find great reason to have this changed quickly, we hope that they won’t use it against their opponents”, Kalungu noted.
