Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu, has strongly condemned the intention by some sections of the Roman Catholic Church and other denominations to stage protests against the ongoing constitutional review process, describing the move as both divisive and contrary to the church’s mission of unity and reconciliation.
He says that Government has been engaging religious bodies consistently throughout the reform process, and stresses that protests at this critical stage risk undermining those efforts, fuelling national tension, and creating unnecessary polarisation within both the church and the wider public.
Mr Mwiimbu adds that while the rights to worship, expression, and assembly are protected, they must be exercised responsibly, especially by institutions that hold moral authority and influence across the country.
On Sunday Oasis Forum announced that it had met all Public Order Act requirements ahead of its planned November 28 protest march from Freedom Statue to State House.
Oasis Forum Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the protest is aimed at rejecting Government’s rushed, non-inclusive and election-centred Bill 7 constitutional reform process.
President Hakainde Hichilema instead invited Oasis Forum to State House to have a dialogue meeting as opposed to protesting.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
