By Chinoyi Chipulu
PF members of Parliament yesterday walked out of the house after they felt offended with sentiments by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti that they were exhibiting disorderly conduct in the House in the same manner they were exhibiting disorderly conduct in their party.
And former leader of opposition Brian Mundubile has demanded for Mutti to announce the leader of opposition in Parliament warning that there would be no order in Parliament if the same was delayed.
Mutti said this after Nakonde member of parliament Lukas Simumba raised a point of order questioning why the speaker did not announce the new leader of opposition.
Simumba said PF changed the leader of opposition and the Speaker had never announced the new leader and people were wondering.
“I’m compelled to raise this matter because it appears that the government and parliament had connived to make sure that, that’s why I’m asking. What’s the problem when we have chosen who should be the leader and you are denying to announce, why is it that, madam speaker this is a serious matter? That is why you find that there is no coordination from the opposition because you have just imposed. The govt and Parliament have imposed a leader of opposition to us,” he said.
But Mutti responded that Simumba had been in the house for four years and expected him to be familiar with the standing orders.
“You are not a stranger in this house and you know that your party is in court at the moment, you are in court over the same issues you want us to make an announcement on, so can you please resolve those issues at court. I’m sure the same way you are exhibiting disorderly conduct is the same way you are exhibiting disorderly conduct in your party. Put your house in order,” Mutti said.
And speaking after walking out of the house, Mundubile said the opposition felt Mutti was selectively applying Parliamentary rules.
“As opposition parties, we selected Miles Sampa as the leader of opposition and as per ConCourt ruling, Parliament only receives communication from the party and their role is to announce,” he said.
Mundubile said communication was sent to Parliament some months back but Mutti had not announced the leader of opposition.
He said when Simumba rose on a point of order to wonder why the leader of opposition was not announced, Mutti referred to a matter in court.
“We were all surprised, we were all baffled because when Mundubile was removed as leader of opposition, the matters were before court and madam Speaker today is being selective in the manner she’s applying the rules of the house. She’s even delving into the happening of a political party to say there’s confusion in that political party, that’s why she’s not making the announcement,” he said.
Mundubile said her actions had annoyed the opposition MPs who took great exception to the statements she made.
“We want to say to her to remain in her seat as an umpire and she should not take sides or get involved in politics. We are making demands that the house should announce the leader of opposition for Parliamentary house to continue. For the past few months there has been confusion and the Zambian people are waiting,” said Mundubile.
He said the UPND were now playing ping pong with national matters.
