Zulu, Mukandila seek contempt charges against speaker Mutti, Justice minister, Kasune, over constitution bill

Jailed former Lumezi Member of Parliament, Munir Zulu, and Lusaka lawyer, Celestine Mukandila, have petitioned the Constitutional Court to cite Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti and Minister of Justice Princess Kasune for contempt of court.

The duo contend that the two government officials proceeded with the controversial Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 despite a clear ruling by the Constitutional Court declaring the process illegitimate in its current form.

In an affidavit supporting the summons, Mukandila argued that the Constitutional Court, in its June 27, 2025 judgment, had explicitly directed that any amendment process must be “people-driven” and guided by an independent body of experts.

The Court had ordered that Bill 7 should not proceed in its current form.

“Instead of complying with the Court’s judgment, the alleged contemnors merely postponed the Bill to a later date, showing a blatant disregard for the authority of this Honourable Court,” Mukandila stated in his affidavit.

He added that the officials’ actions undermined public confidence in the judiciary, given their senior positions in government.

The affidavit further states that both Mutti and Kasune acknowledged the Court’s ruling but continued to pursue the constitutional amendment process, which Mukandila described as “contemptuous at best” and deserving of judicial scrutiny.

Mukandila is seeking leave of the Court to commence formal contempt and committal proceedings, arguing that the actions of the two officials amount to a clear show of disrespect for the Court’s authority.

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