Zambia’s opposition has collected the 53 lawmakers’ signatures needed to begin an impeachment process to remove President Levy Mwanawasa from office for allegedly breaching the constitution, an official said.
The impeachment process being spearheaded by the United Party for National Development (UPND) is expected to start in Parliament next month when the National Assembly resumes, said Crispin Sibetta, a UPND lawmaker.
”We have managed to get 53 signatures required to begin an impeachment process in the house,” said Sibetta.
The Zambian constitution requires that before any impeachment motion is tabled at least 53 of the 150 deputies must sign a petition to be given to the speaker of the National Assembly.
Sibetta said almost all the parties represented in Parliament, including the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy, have signed the impeachment petition.
Three former ministers who were sacked by Mwanawasa have added their signatures to the petition.
The move aims to remove the president from office for allegedly having appointed Vice President Nevers Mumba when he was constitutionally barred from holding such an office.
Legal affairs minister George Kunda has said the impeachment process will fail because it lacks legal merit. ‒ Sapa-AFP