SOCIETIES ACT: SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION (CHAPTER 119 )

1. All schools registered or established under the provisions of the Education Act, which are intended to provide or further a general, vocational, or technical education.

2. All statutory education authorities, advisory boards, school councils or committees and all committees appointed for educational purposes-

(a) by the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education either before or after the 1st January, 1964; or

(b) by the Secretary to the former Federal Ministry of Education before the 1st January, 1964.

3. All societies within any school aforesaid which have been approved by the principal or head-teacher of such school and have not been disapproved-

(a) by the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education either before or after the 1st January, 1964; or

(b) by the Secretary to the former Federal Ministry of Education before the 1st January, 1964.

[Am by GN 140 of 1964.]

SOCIETIES (NON-APPLICATION TO CLUBS) ORDER

[Section 2]

Arrangement of Paragraphs

Paragraph

1. Title

2. Non-application of Act to Clubs

[Order by the Minister]

SI 121 of 1983.

1. Title

This Order may be cited as the Societies (Non-Application to Clubs) Order.

2. Non-application of Act to Clubs

A club registered under the Clubs Registration Act is hereby declared not to be a society for the purposes of this Act.

APPLICATION

[Section 30]

[Declarations by the Minister]

GN 83 of 1959,

GN 84 of 1959,

GN 497 of 1964,

SI 197 of 1972.

It is hereby declared that the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 30 of the Act shall apply to the Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt, Eastern, Central, Southern, North-Western and Western Provinces of Zambia.

SOCIETIES RULES

Arrangement of Rules

Rule

1. Title

2. Interpretation

3. Books of account to be kept by registered societies

4. Register of members to be kept by registered societies

5. Application for registration or exemption

6. Issue of Certificate of Registration

7. Issue of Certificate of Exemption

8. Notice of refusal to register

9. Notice of rescission of exemption

10. Notice of cancellation of registration

11. Notice of change of name of society

12. Notice of change in constitution of society

13. Notice of alteration of objects of society

14. Notice of change of address of society

15. Notice of change of office-bearers

16. Annual returns

17. Amendment of particulars in register

18. Appeals

19. Furnishing of additional information and documents

20. Signing of returns, etc.

[Rules by the Minister]

Act 13 of 1994,

GN 119 of 1958,

GN 328 of 1958,

GN 307 of 1962,

GN 314 of 1964,

GN 497 of 1964,

SI 295 of 1969,

SI 6 of 1972,

SI 110 of 1982,

SI 11 of 1992,

SI 25 of 1994,

SI 138 of 1998,

SI 71 of 2002,

SI 64 of 2004,

SI 12 of 2022.

1. Title

These Rules may be cited as the Societies Rules.

2. Interpretation

In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires-

"the register" means the register of societies to be kept by the Registrar under section 10(1) of the Act.

3. Books of account to be kept by registered societies

(1) Every registered society which receives money from any source, whether by way of subscription, donation or otherwise, shall keep one or more books of account in which shall be entered details of all money received and payments made by the society.

(2) Every office-bearer and every person managing or assisting in the management in Zambia of a registered society in respect of which the provisions of this rule are not complied with shall be guilty of an offence against these Rules and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding six thousand penalty units or to imprisonment not exceeding one year, or to both, unless he establishes to the satisfaction of the court that he exercised due diligence and that the failure by the society to comply with this rule was due to reasons beyond his control.

[Am by Act 13 of 1994.]

4. Register of members to be kept by registered societies

Every registered society shall keep a register of its members in which shall be entered-

(a) the full name and address of each member;

(b) the date on which each member was admitted to membership;

5. Application for registration or exemption

(1) Every application for registration or for exemption from registration of any society shall-

(a) be made in quadruplicate in the form set out as Form S.O.1 in the First Schedule;

(b) be signed by all office-bearers of the society in the presence of the Registrar of the district in which the society has its registered office;

(d) be accompanied by three copies of the constitution and rules of the society;

(e) be accompanied by a remittance for thirteen fee units.

[Am by SI 110 of 1982; Act 13 of 1994.]

(2) The remittance referred to in paragraph (e) of sub-rule (1) shall not be returnable to the society whether or not such society is granted, or exempted from, registration.

(3) Where the constitution or rules of the society were not made in the English language, there shall be attached to the application three copies of a translation of the said constitution or rules into the English language, in addition to the three copies of the said constitution or rules in the language in which they were made.

[Am by SI 295 of 1969; 6 of 1972.]

6. Issue of Certificate of Registration

On the registration of any society, the Registrar shall issue to the society a Certificate of Registration in the form set out as Form S.O.2 in the First Schedule.

7. Issue of Certificate of Exemption

On granting any society exemption from registration, the Registrar shall issue to the society a Certificate of Exemption in the form set out as Form S.O.3 in the First Schedule.

8. Notice of refusal to register

Where the Registrar refuses to register a society, he shall send to the society notification of his refusal in the form set out as Form S.O.4 in the First Schedule.

9. Notice of rescission of exemption

Where under the provisions of section 12(1) of the Act the Registrar rescinds any exemption from registration granted to any society, he shall give notice to the society of such rescission in the form set out as Form S.O.5 in the First Schedule.

10. Notice of cancellation of registration

Where under section 13(2) of the Act the Registrar cancels the registration of any society, he shall give notice to the society of such cancellation in the form set out as Form S.O.6 in the First Schedule.

11. Notice of change of name of society

Every registered or exempted society which changes its name in accordance with section 17(1)(a) or 18(1) of the Act shall notify the Registrar of the change in the form set out as Form S.O.7 in the First Schedule.

12. Notice of change in constitution of society

Every registered society which changes any of the provisions of its constitution or rules shall notify the Registrar in the form set out as Form S.O.7 in the First Schedule.

13. Notice of alteration of objects of society

Every registered and exempted society which adds to or decreases or otherwise varies its objects shall notify the Registrar in the form set out as Form S.O.7 in the First Schedule.

14. Notice of change of address of society

Where any registered or exempted society changes the situation of its registered office or changes its postal address, it shall, within 14 days, send to the Registrar notice thereof on one of the forms set out as Form S.O.7 in the First Schedule, whichever may be appropriate.

15. Notice of change of office-bearers

(1) Where any office-bearer of a registered society ceases to hold office or any person is appointed to be an office-bearer of a registered society, such registered society shall, within 14 days, send to the Registrar notice thereof in the form set out as Form S.O.8 in the First Schedule.

(2) If any registered society fails to comply with the provisions of this rule, then such society and every office-bearer thereof shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three thousand penalty units

{mprestriction ids="2,3,5"}

[Am by Act 13 of 1994.]

16. Annual returns

(1) Not later than the 31st March in each year every registered society shall furnish to the Registrar an annual return in the form set out as Form S.O.9 in the First Schedule.

(2) It shall be the duty of every office-bearer of the society to ensure that such annual return is duly furnished to the Registrar.

17. Amendment of particulars in register

(1) On being notified of any change of name in accordance with rule 11 or upon receiving notification of any change in a statutory society's registered office or postal address under rule 14, the Registrar shall amend the particulars concerning the said society entered in the register.

(2) Where the name of a society is changed, the Registrar shall issue a fresh Certificate of Registration or Exemption, as the case may be, on the original certificate being surrendered to him.

(3) The Registrar shall also make such other amendments to the particulars concerning a society entered in the register as may be necessitated by information provided under rules 16 and 19.

18. Appeals

Any appeal to the Minister under section 16 of the Act and any application for an extension of time within which to lodge such an appeal shall-

(a) be in writing signed by two of the office-bearers of the society; and

(b) set out the grounds upon which the appeal or application is based; and

[Am by GN 314 of 1964.]

19. Furnishing of additional information and documents

(1) In addition to the documents and information specifically mentioned in section 19(1) of the Act, the Registrar may order any registered society to furnish him within a time to be specified, such time not being less than 21 days, all or any of the following-

(a) information on any of the matter contained in Forms S.O.1 or S.O.9 of the First Schedule;

(b) information as to the property, movable or immovable, and the financial position of the society;

(d) a list of the names of members and office-bearers of any committee or governing or executive body of such society.

(2) The Registrar may also order the society to produce for his inspection within a time to be specified, such time not being less than 21 days, all or any of the following-

(a) all or any of the books of accounts of the society;

(b) any minutes or written records of the proceedings of the society or of any committee or governing or executive body thereof;

(d) the register of members of the society kept in accordance with rule 4.

(3) Where the Registrar requires the production of any such books of accounts or minutes or written records and these are not produced within the time specified in such requirement, such registered society shall be deemed to be in breach of the provisions of this rule.

(4) Every office-bearer and every person managing or assisting in the management in Zambia of a registered society which is in breach of the provisions of this rule and who has been served with such order shall be guilty of an offence against these Rules and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding three thousand penalty units, unless he establishes to the satisfaction of the court that he exercised due diligence and that the failure of the society to comply with this rule was due to reasons beyond his control.

[Am by Act 13 of 1994.]

20. Signing of returns, etc.

All information and every notification or return required by the Registrar or by the provisions of the Act or these Rules shall be signed by two office-bearers.

21. Penalties

Where in these Rules no penalty is provided for the breach of a rule, every office-bearer and every person managing or assisting in the management in Zambia of a society shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, and for a continuing breach to a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty penalty units in respect of each day on which such breach continues.

[Am by Act 13 of 1994.]

22. Prescribed fees

The fees set out in the third column of the Second Schedule shall be charged for the several matters set out opposite thereto in the second column of that Schedule.

FIRST SCHEDULE

PRESCRIBED FORMS

FORM S.O.1

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA THE SOCIETIES RULES

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION OF A SOCIETY

To The Registrar of Societies:

The ..................................................................................................(name of Society)

..................................................Branch, hereby applies for registration/exemption from registration

The following are particulars of the Society:

(a) Name of Society..............................

(b) Office bearers:

Designation	Full Names (BLOCK CAPITALS)	Occupation	Nationality	Residential Address	Postal Address	Date of Appointment
....	.....	.....	.....	.....	....	.....
....	.....	.....	.....	.....	....	.....
....	.....	.....	.....	.....	....	.....
....	.....	.....	.....	.....	....	.....
....	.....	.....	.....	.....	....	.....
....	.....	.....	.....	.....	....	.....
....	.....	.....	.....	.....	....	.....

(d) Postal address...............................

(e) Objects of the Society...........................

.......................................

(f) The name of each organisation or group of a political nature established outside the Republic of which the Society is a branch or is affiliated to or connected with........

.......................................

(g) The class or classes of persons to whom membership of the Society is restricted

...............................................

(h) The present number of members.......................

(i) The immovable property owned by the Society and the manner in which such property is held or vested.................................

.......................................

(j) The date of commencement of the Society's financial year......................................

Signed ..........Designation...............................

Signed ..........Designation...............................

NOTE-This application must be completed in QUADRUPLICATE and signed in the presence of a Registrar by all office-bearers, and must be accompanied by three copies of the constitution and/or rules of the Society, together with three copies of English translations of the same if they are not in the English language:

Provided that where an office-bearer is unable to present himself before a Registrar by reason of illness or absence from Zambia, the application should be accompanied by an affidavit to such effect.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Comments of Officer Commanding .......................................................Division, Zambia Police

Comments of District Secretary...................................................................................................

FORM S.O.2

[Rule 6]

Registration No.........

SEAL

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

THE SOCIETIES RULES

[Section 7(1) of Societies Act, Cap. 119]

CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION

I HEREBY CERTIFY that:

....................................

this ....... day of....... 20..

Has been duly registered pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the Societies Act Cap. 119 of the Laws of Zambia and the Regulation made thereunder.

Given under my hand at ..........................

This ..... day of ....... 20.......

..............
Registrar

[Form S.O.2 subs by rule 2 of SI 71 of 2002.]

FORM S.O.3

[Rule 7]

Registration No...........

SEAL

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

THE SOCIETIES RULES

[Section 7(2)(a) of Societies Act, Cap. 119]

CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION

I HEREBY CERTIFY that:

....................................

....................................this ........ day of ....... 20..... Has been exempted from registration by me with the approval of the Permanent Secretary pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Societies Act Cap. 119 of the Laws of Zambia and the Regulation made thereunder.

Given under my hand at .............................

This ................ day of......... 20...........

..........
Registrar

[Form S.O.3 subs by rule 2 of SI 71 of 2002.]

FORM S.O.4

[Rule 8]

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SOCIETIES RULES

NOTIFICATION OF REFUSAL TO REGISTER A SOCIETY

To ................. .............................. Branch of ........................................................... (name of society).

I hereby give you notice that, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section *8/9 of the Societies Act, I have this day refused to register you as a society under the said Act on the grounds that ................................. ...........................................................................................

Any appeal to the Minister against this refusal must be delivered to the Permanent Secretary within twenty-one days.

Dated at ............................ this .............. day of ............................. 19........

...........................................................
Registrar of Societies

*Delete as applicable.

NOTE.-Your attention is drawn to the definition of "unlawful society" in section 23 of the Societies Act, which is as follows-

"23. (1) Every society, other than a statutory society, shall be deemed to be an unlawful society:

Provided that a society in respect of which-

(i) an application for registration or exemption from registration has been duly and lawfully made under the provisions of section 6 and has not been refused; or

(ii) an appeal has been lawfully made to the Minister under the provisions of section 16 and remains undetermined;

shall not be deemed to be an unlawful society pending such refusal or determination.

(2) The Minister may, in his absolute discretion, where he considers it to be essential in the public interest, by order declare to be unlawful any statutory society which, in his opinion-

(a) is being used for any purpose prejudicial to, or incompatible with, the maintenance of peace, order and good government; or

(b) is being used for any purpose at variance with its declared objects.

(3) An order made under the provisions of sub-section (2) shall operate immediately to cancel the registration or rescind the exemption from registration, as the case may be, of the society concerned.

(4) The Minister may at any time vary or revoke an order made under the provisions of sub-section (2), but while any such order remains in force, the society in respect of which it was made shall not be entitled to apply for registration or for exemption from registration under this Act."

[Am by GN 314 of 1964.]

FORM S.O. 5

[Rule 9]

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SOCIETIES RULES

NOTIFICATION OF RESCISSION OF EXEMPTION

To .................................................. Branch of ............................................................ (name of society)

I hereby give you notice that in accordance with section 12(1) of the Societies Act, and with the approval of the Minister, I have this day rescinded your exemption from registration under the said Act.

Dated at .............................. this ............. day of ............................. 19........

.................................................
Registrar of Societies

NOTE.-1. Your attention is drawn to section 12(3) of the Societies Act which requires that you surrender to me the certificate of exemption issued to you under the provisions of section 7(3) of the said Act within twenty-one days of the receipt of this notification of rescission.

2. By virtue of section 12(2) of the Societies Act you have twenty-one days from the date of this notification of rescission within which to apply for registration should you so desire.

3. Your attention is drawn to the definition of "unlawful society" in section 23 of the Societies Act, which is as follows-

"23. (1) Every society, other than a statutory society, shall be deemed to be an unlawful society:

Provided that a society in respect of which-

(i) an application for registration or exemption from registration has been duly and lawfully made under the provisions of section 6 and has not been refused; or

(ii) an appeal has been lawfully made to the Minister under the provisions of section 16 and remains undetermined;

shall not be deemed to be an unlawful society pending such refusal or determination.

(2) The Minister may, in his absolute discretion, where he considers it to be essential in the public interest, by order declare to be unlawful any statutory society which, in his opinion-

(a) is being used for any purpose prejudicial to, or incompatible with, the maintenance of peace, order and good government; or

(b) is being used for any purpose at variance with its declared objects.

[Am by GN 314 of 1964.]

FORM S.O.6

[Rule 10]

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SOCIETIES RULES

NOTIFICATION OF CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION

To .................................................. Branch of ..................................................... (name of society)

I hereby give you notice that, in accordance with section 13(2) of the Societies Act, I have this day cancelled your registration under the said Act on the grounds that ...........................................................................................

Any appeal to the Minister against this cancellation must be delivered to the Permanent Secretary within twenty-one days.

Dated at ............................. this ................................. day of ............................. 19........

.................................................
Registrar of Societies

NOTE. Your attention is drawn to the definition of "unlawful society" in section 23 of the Societies Act, which is as follows:

"23. (1) Every society, other than a statutory society, shall be deemed to be an unlawful society:

Provided that a society in respect of which-

(i) an application for registration or exemption from registration has been duly and lawfully made under the provisions of section 6 and has not been refused; or

(ii) an appeal has been lawfully made to the Minister under the provisions of section 16 and remains undetermined;

shall not be deemed to be an unlawful society pending such refusal or determination.

(2) The Minister may, in his absolute discretion, where he considers it to be essential in the public interest, by order declare to be unlawful any statutory society which, in his opinion-

(a) is being used for any purpose prejudicial to, or incompatible with the maintenance of peace, order and good government; or

(b) is being used for any purpose at variance with its declared objects.

[Am by GN 314 of 1964.]

FORM S.O.7

[Rules 11 to 14]

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SOCIETIES RULES

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF A SOCIETY"™S NAME OR REGISTERED OFFICE OR POSTAL ADDRESS, OR
CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION OR RULES, OR VARIATION OF OBJECTS

To the Registrar of Societies:

*A. Notice is hereby given that the Society formerly named..............

...................................................................................................................................................

has changed its name to..............................

The reason for this change is....................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Date ..................................... Signed .................................. Designation ................................

*B. Notice is hereby given that (name of Society).....................

...................................................................................................................................................

has changed its constitution/rules/varied its objects. The changes made and the reasons therefor are set out in the attached memorandum.

Date ..................................... Signed .................................. Designation .............................

Signed .................................. Designation .............................

*C. Notice is hereby given that (name of Society).................................................................

has changed the situation of its registered office/postal address* from.........

...............................................................................................................................................

to......................................

Date ...................................... Signed .................................. Designation ............................

Signed .................................. Designation ............................

* Delete as applicable.

NOTE.-This form and any accompanying memorandum must be submitted in QUADRUPLICATE and signed by two office-bearers.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Comments of Officer Commanding .....................................................................

.........................................................Division, Zambia Police.

Comments of District Secretary .......................................................................................

FORM S.O.8

[Rule 15]

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SOCIETIES RULES

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF OFFICE-BEARERS

To the Registrar of Societies:
The ...................................... (name of Society)

.................................. Branch.

1. The following persons have ceased to be office-bearers of the above Society-

Full Names (BLOCK CAPITALS)	Designation	Date of Vacating Office
............	............	............
............	............	............
............	............	............
............	............	............
............	............	............

2. The following are the present office-bearers of the above Society-

Designation	Full Names (BLOCK CAPITALS)	Occupation	Nationality	Residential Address	Postal Address	Date of Appointment
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......

Date........... Signed............ Designation.......

........... Signed............ Designation.......

NOTES-

(a) The definition of "office-bearer" in the Societies Act is: "˜"office-bearer"™, in relation to any society or any committee or governing or executive body of a society, means any person who is the President, Vice-President, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary or treasurer of such society, committee or body, or who holds therein any office or position analogous to any of those mentioned above."

(b) This form must be submitted in QUADRUPLICATE and signed by two office-bearers.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Comments of Officer Commanding ................................................. Division, Zambia Police .................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Comments of District Secretary.............................

...................................................................................................................................................

FORM S.O.9

[Rule 16]

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SOCIETIES RULES

ANNUAL RETURN

The.....................................(name of Society)

Date of last annual general meeting...........

Present number of members of the Society .....................

Office-bearers for the current year-

Designation	Full Names (BLOCK CAPITALS)	Occupation	Nationality	Residential Address	Postal Address	Date of Appointment
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......
......	......	......	......	......	......	......

Have there been, since the date of application for registration or exemption from registration or the date of the last annual return, whichever is the later date, any changes in (answer Yes or No against item in question).

(a) the name of the Society ...........................

(b) the objects of the Society ...........................

(c) the organisations or groups of a political nature established outside the Republic ...
of which the Society is a branch or to which it is affiliated or with which it is ......................
connected ..............................................

(d) the class or classes of persons to whom membership is restricted ..........

(e) the titles of the office-bearers ........................

(f) the immovable property owned by the Society ..................

(g) the date of commencement of the financial or business year of the Society .........

(h) the constitution or rules of the Society ....................

(i) the postal address of the Society .......................

(j) the situation of the registered office of the Society ................

If so, set out details of changes (attach separate memorandum if necessary) ........

......................................... ......................................... ......................................... ....................................... ....................................... .......................................

Date........... Signed.......... Designation........

Signed..........Designation.......

NOTE.-This form must be submitted in TRIPLICATE and signed by two office-bearers.

SECOND SCHEDULE

[Rule 22]

PRESCRIBED FEES

[Second Sch subs by rule 2 of SI 12 of 2022.]

	Fee Units
1. Application for registration of a political party	33,333.00
2. Application for registration of a religious society	16,666.67
3. Application for registration of a pressure group	25,000
4. Application for registration of an international society	16,666.67
5. Application for registration of a professional society	20,083.33
6. Application for registration of a cultural group	4,000.00
7. Application for registration of a club	2,083.33
8. Application for registration of a community service society	8,333.33
9. Application for registration of a branch of a registered society	2,083.33
10. Application for exemption from registration of a society	29,166.67
11. Application for a duplicate certificate of registration	833.33
12. Search and examination of a register	833.33
13. Copy of a certified true copy of an extract from a document in the custody of the Registrar per folio or one hundred words	833.33
14. Amendment on submission of duly completed Form S.O.7 and S.O.8	833.33
15. For a prescribed form	83.33
16. Annual return on duly completed Form S.O.9	833.33
17. Filing documents	833.33
18. Application for registration of a branch of an exempted society	2,917
19. Cancellation of registration by applicant	556.67

{/mprestriction}

{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}