By Patson Chilemba
Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti says her impeachment motion raised by opposition members of parliament will be dealt with in Parliament.
Speaking with Daily Revelation Newspaper following the motion of impeachment that has been raised by 56 opposition members of parliament over gross misconduct and for violating the Republican Constitution when she announced Robert Chabinga as leader of the opposition, Speaker Mutti said the matter was
before Parliament, and she was the subject of the matter.
But put to her that the newspaper got in touch with her for reaction as the subject of the matter amid several accusations, including that she has been biased in the manner she has conducted the business of the house, Speaker Mutti responded: “But have you asked them what breach I have committed? What standing order have I breached? You should be asking; you know investigative journalism. Ask questions than get a one-sided story.”
But asked if her response implied that she was saying that she had not committed any offence, Speaker Mutti said: “You want to carry a story, leave me out of it. We’ll deal with it in parliament. So, I can’t comment because I am still dealing with the matter. So, if I comment outside then I deal in parliament it’s not proper.”
Last Friday, opposition members of parliament, in a motion raised by Nkana independent member of parliament Binwell Mpundu and seconded by Lunte member of parliament (PF) Mutotwe Kafwaya, argued that pursuant to article 83 of the Constitution as read together with order 8 of the standing orders, the Speaker had committed gross misconduct and violated the Republican Constitution.
Mpundu charged that Speaker Mutti on November 01, 2023, grossly misconducted herself and violated article 74(2) of the constitution when she acknowledged Mafinga member of parliament (PF) Robert Chabinga as leader of the opposition based on a letter from Morgan Ng’ona while ignoring a letter from the PF that Brian Mundubile was the substantive leader of the opposition.
Mpundu charged that the Speaker on November 1, 2023, during the proceedings grossly misconducted herself when she curtailed Kamfinsa member of parliament, Christopher Kang’ombe, from exercising his freedom of expression and debate in the house.
The other ground was that the Speaker violated article 72(2)(E) of the Constitution when she changed the leader of the opposition but failed to expel Matero member of parliament (PF) Miles Sampa.
