Africa-Press – Zambia. BREAKING:
Speaker Nelly Mutti has been taken to court for contempt over Bill 7, potentially slowing Zambia’s constitutional amendment momentum ahead of the 2026 elections.
⚖️ Zambia’s Constitutional Crisis Deepens
In a dramatic twist to Zambia’s fast-moving constitutional saga, Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has been dragged to court by Makebi Zulu & Advocates for allegedly defying a binding Constitutional Court ruling that halted the controversial Bill No. 7 of 2025.
The bill, which proposes sweeping amendments to Zambia’s Constitution, has ignited fierce resistance from civil society, the church, and opposition parties.
The Constitutional Court’s June 27 judgment found the bill’s process unconstitutional due to procedural failures and lack of public consultation.
Yet, recently, Speaker Mutti ruled that the bill could proceed, citing parliamentary autonomy and separation of powers. This defiance has now landed her in legal hot water, with accusations of contempt of court and undermining judicial authority.
What’s at Stake?
• Bill 7 is accused of centralizing power in the presidency, potentially allowing the sitting president to dominate Parliament and extend his stay in office.
• The Oasis Forum, church mother bodies, and civil society have united in opposition, warning that Zambia risks sliding into authoritarianism.
• The government’s 14-day “consultation cruise” has been widely mocked as a rushed and superficial exercise, failing to reflect the will of Zambia’s 20 million citizens.
️ Countdown to August 13, 2026 Elections
With elections looming, Zambia stands at a constitutional crossroads.
The ruling party appears determined to push Bill 7 through Parliament, while the opposition, still fragmented, risks handing victory to the incumbents by failing to unite behind a single candidate.
The legal action against Speaker Mutti could stall the bill’s momentum, giving civil society and opposition forces a window to regroup. But time is short, and the stakes are existential.
️ Final Word
As the battle lines harden, one Kiswahili proverb rings true:
“Maji ukiyavulia nguo, huna budi kuyaoga.”
(Once you undress for the water, you must bathe.)
Zambia has stepped into the waters of constitutional reckoning. Now, it must face the consequences—with courage, unity, and vigilance.
AM.04.12.25.
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