SODELPA rejects opinion

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is disappointed with the Supreme Court's opinion that declared the 2013 Constitution legally effective while dismissing the validity of the 1997 Constitution.

Party lawyer Jolame Uludole said the opinion was a setback for those who believed the 1997 Constitution remained a valid legal document.

"Well, for us it's a disappointment because we had thought that they can recognise the 2013 Constitution like the acts that were enacted under the 2013 appointments, all those administrative acts, but because the 1997 Constitution is still a legal document and that's been held by the Court of Appeal, they totally disregarded it and that is why we're a bit disappointed," Mr Uludole said.

Supreme Court's opinion

The Supreme Court on Friday delivered its opinion on five questions referred by Cabinet about constitutional amendment procedures, with Chief Justice Salesi Temo declaring the 2013 Constitution as the country's legally effective governing document.

However, SODELPA had argued that both constitutions could co-exist, with the 1997 Constitution never being legally abrogated.

When asked if the party accepted the court's opinion, Mr Uludole remained defiant.

"No, actually it was our recommendation that they recognise some of the acts that were under built and acted under the 2013 Constitution, but the 1997 still has to come into play because it has not been legally abrogated," he said.

The party now plans to pursue change through Parliament, needing a two-third majority to amend the 2013 Constitution.

"We need to get our two third into Parliament. This has been our focus all along," Mr Uludole said.

SODELPA holds three seats in the 55-member Parliament as part of the coalition Government.