By Francis Chipalo
The Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has taken a jab at the Non – Governmental Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC) chairperson Beauty Katebe over the “controversial” Bill amendment No. 7 of 2025.
Katebe, on Monday said the council rejected Bill No.7 and called on government to pause and reconfigure the amendment process to be truly inclusive and guided by broad consensus.
She said while, NGOCC had welcomed government’s decision to embark on constitutional reform on the condition that it would be transparent, consultative, and inclusive, it was disappointed that the process had not met those standards.
Meanwhile, UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda has unleashed jabs at the NGOCC for rejecting the proposed bill.
Imenda said it was shocking that the NGOCC had allegedly u – turned on the bill which he said promotes inclusion of more women in key decision making positions, among other progressive clauses.
Imenda has since appealed to Zambians to distinguish between lies and truth.
The UPND chief executive officer made the remarks during a media briefing in Lusaka held Wednesday morning.
Speaking at the same briefing, a student – led youth movement called Friends of Bally (President Hakainde Hichilema’s associates) have thrown their weight behind the proposed bill.
Fungai Meki who spoke on behalf of her colleagues highlighted the importance of having youth representation in parliament as proposed in the bill, adding that the bill should be supported by all young people in the country.