Zambia parliament dissolution causes a stir

The change made on Zambia’s constitution allowing ministers to stay in office after parliament dissolves has sparked a row.

The Southern African country’s parliament is expected to be dissolved next Wednesday.

But Zambian President Edgar Lungu said the ministers will remain in place, whilst the amendment is being challenged in court.

“I am not insisting that ministers remain in office so that we can use government resources,” he said in response to a question, adding that he was very confident of victory.

Critics, including opposition parties, argue the amendment should have been dumped when a related proposal to appoint ministers from outside parliament was shot down.

President Lungu said that the Constitutional Court would make a final interpretation of the law after some key interested parties filed a lawsuit seeking its interpretation.

Ministers in Zambia previously vacated their offices when parliament was dissolved.

Opposition has even called for the ministers’ cars to be seized.