Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
MINISTER of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi says Parliament is expected to begin deliberations on the Constitutional Amendment Bill 3 next week, with the legislative process projected to conclude by the end of June.
Speaking on the progress of the Bill, Minister Ziyambi said parliamentary portfolio committees are currently finalising reports compiled from public submissions and nationwide consultations.
“The portfolio committees have been looking at the submissions that were brought to Parliament as well as what they gathered during public hearings, so they’ve been compiling their report which we hopefully will be done by this weekend,” he said.
He added that once Parliament resumes sitting next week, he will formally introduce the Bill for its First Reading.
Minister Ziyambi explained that because the proposed legislation is a Constitutional Bill, it will bypass the Parliamentary Legal Committee before proceeding to the Second Reading Stage.
“It being a Constitutional Bill it’s not referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee, which would then allow me, if I’m comfortable, to proceed to the second reading speech where I will formally now unpack the Bill to parliamentarians,” he said.
During the Second Reading Stage, the minister said lawmakers will debate the provisions of the Bill, while parliamentary committees that conducted public hearings will table reports outlining citizens’ views and recommendations.
The Bill will then be opened for debate by Members of Parliament, who will be able to propose amendments and raise concerns over specific clauses.
Minister Ziyambi said government remains open to revising the proposed legislation depending on submissions made during debate.
“If there is need to adjust or to drop some clauses I will then in my closing speech after the second reading speech indicate if that consideration will be done before we then proceed to the committee stage,” he said.
He said the progression of the Bill will ultimately depend on the nature of parliamentary debate, but expressed confidence that the process could be completed by the end of June.
