I found something interesting in IVerify - No, President Hakainde Hichilema has not violated the Constitution of Zambia.

No, President Hakainde Hichilema has not violated the Constitution of Zambia.

Misleading

The Republican President of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema said that his administration will seek the approval of Parliament for the ministries that have been either created or merged

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Verified Sep, 13 2021

Claim

On 8th September 2021, Sean E. Tembo, President of the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), through his Facebook Page claimed that President Hakainde Hichilema violated the constitution by creating three new Ministries and abolishing the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs. He stated that by doing so, President Hichilema should be impeached because the President did not obtain the necessary Parliamentary approval.

Rating Justification

The fact checking process has established as misleading the claims made by Sean E. Tembo. President Hakainde Hichilema on 7th and 8th September, 2021 appointed 38 cabinet Ministers (including provincial ministers) for existing and new Ministries for the Republic of Zambia. The lists of the appointed Ministers were published on the President’s official Facebook Page. The President appointed Ministers for the Ministries that were yet to be ratified by the Parliament. He said that his administration will seek the approval of Parliament for the Ministries that have either been created or merged. His Excellence President Hakainde Hichilema said, “We are mindful, conscious for those colleagues/ministers announced some of are completely new ministries. There’s is a constitutional requirement for Parliament to approve those Ministries that are completely new and adjusted. In this regard, appointments that have been made are subject to approval by Parliament.” This shows that the President acknowledged the Constitution of Zambia Article 92(2)(d) which states that: “Without limiting the other provisions of this Constitution, the President shall—” d. “establish, merge and dissolve Government ministries, subject to the approval of the National Assembly.”

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