30 PF MPS SUSPENDED FOR 30 DAYS
By Mark Ziligone
Thirty Opposition Patriotic Front Members of Parliament who took part in protest on November 30, 2021 have been suspended for 30 days with immediate effect.
First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly MALUNGO CHISANGANO delivered the ruling after admonishing the 30 MPs including Leader of the opposition in the house BRIAN MUNDUBILE.
Ms. CHISANGANO told the MPs that they will NOT be allowed within the precincts of the National Assembly as well as access Parliament motel during their suspension.
She added that the MPs will NOT be paid their salaries including parliamentary allowances.
Ms CHISANGANO explained that the move by the MPs to protest in the chamber was breach of Parliamentary privileges and caused disruption in the running of the business in the house.
She said the MPs could have walked out of the house to express their displeasure on any matter of concern and NOT protesting in front of the Speaker.
Ms. CHISANGANO said the conduct of the 30 PFs MPs diminishes the respect, decorum and dignity of the house.
On Tuesday, November, 30th 2021, Vice-President and Leader of Government Business in the House MUTALE NALUMANGO presented the policy statement for Head 01 – State House.
BUT Leader of Opposition BRIAN MUNDUBILE informed the House that the Yellow Book was showing that the mandate of the Republican President to discharge his constitutional function was derived from Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution of Zambia Act Number 1 of 1996 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr. MUNDUBILE explained that the said provisions were repealed and replaced by the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act Number 2 of 2016.
He submitted that the estimates of expenditure for State House were drawing their mandate from a non-existent constitutional provision.
In that regard, Mr MUNDUBILE informed the House that there was need for the Yellow Book to be amended before members could debate the vote.
He added that failure to do so would be a violation of the Constitution which Members had sworn to protect, and would result in members protesting.