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President Hakainde Hichilema has directed Justice Minister Princess Kasune to defer Bill 7 of 2025 to allow for wider consultations.
The directive comes barely a day after Kasune introduced the Bill in Parliament for second reading, amid growing pressure from stakeholders to halt the process until adequate consultations are undertaken.
In a statement issued Thursday by State House Chief Communication Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, President Hichilema said the move reflected government’s commitment to a participatory and consensus-driven approach in enacting transformative legislative reforms.
Hamasaka disclosed that the decision followed further engagements at State House with representatives from church mother bodies, traditional leadership, and over 30 civil society organizations, during which diverse perspectives were shared.
“To ensure additional stakeholder input, the President has guided the Minister of Justice to work closely with the church, civil society, and other stakeholders to review the current roadmap and proposed amendments,” said Hamasaka.
Additionally, President Hichilema reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reviewing both the NGO Act and the draft NGO Bill, aiming to safeguard the independence and operations of non-governmental organizations.
According to Hamasaka, the President emphasized the vital role of a vibrant and autonomous civil society in deepening Zambia’s democracy.
“The government remains steadfast in pursuing reforms that reflect the aspirations of all Zambians. By prioritising dialogue and inclusivity, the government hopes the national conversation can now focus on the substance of the proposed amendments,” Hamasaka added.
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