The Oasis Forum has withdrawn its petition challenging the constitutional amendment process relating to Bill 7. In a notice of motion supported by an affidavit, the civil society consortium formally discontinued the matter, stating that it had decided not to proceed further in the interest of justice, judicial economy and orderly case management. The petition, filed under the Oasis Forum umbrella, brought together several organisations, including the Law Association of Zambia, the Non-Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, the Council of Churches in Zambia, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and the LCK Freedom Foundation.
The organisations had challenged the constitutional amendment process being driven by the Technical Committee and had sought, among other reliefs, the nullification of acts and documents produced by the committee. However, court documents filed before the Constitutional Court show that the petitioners have now elected to discontinue the case. In an affidavit, LCK Chambers legal practitioner Linda Kasonde said the decision was deliberate and made in good faith, in line with the Constitutional Court Rules.
She stated that the withdrawal was voluntary, not intended to secure any procedural or substantive advantage, and would not prejudice the respondents, including the Attorney General. She added that no final determination had been made in the matter and that the withdrawal was without admission of liability, with issues of costs left to the discretion of the co Has the forum presided over a concluded case/issue?
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