UPND MPs  acting like zombies -Chanda 

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 06:25:10 +0000

BY BENNIE MUNDANDO and JUSTINA MULENGA

IT IS unacceptable that UPND MPs have allowed themselves to be controlled like zombies even when they know too well that they represent constituencies in dire need of development, PF media committee member Sunday Chanda has said.

Commenting on the decision by MPs to boycott President Edgar Lungu’s state of the nation address last Friday, Mr. Chanda branded the MPs as being hypocritical and that their decision exposed the immaturity deeply imbedded in the party.

He said it was unfortunate that UPND MPs had boycotted the national address for the second time even when they knew very well that they could not function without the opening of the National Assembly by the Republican President.

“It is unacceptable that UPND MPs have allowed themselves to be controlled like zombies even when they know too well that they represent constituencies in dire need of development.

“It is hypocritical for these MPs to claim they do not recognise the Republican President and yet they swore an oath as MP to the same President they claim not to recognise simply because their political leaders are hell-bent on this ruinous strategy.

“In our Constitution, the President officially opens Parliament for it to function and without him, Parliament cannot open.

It is because President Lungu opened Parliament that all MPs including UPND MPs, the Speaker, and his deputies are in Parliament transacting the business of the House,” Mr. Chanda said.

He challenged the UPND MPs to resign on principle “en masse” from Parliament and wait for 2021 elections, boycott all sittings of Parliament pending resolution of their petition in court or stop  asking vice-president Inonge Wina questions in Parliament because she was elected on the same ticket as President Lungu.

“Further, Zambians who elected President Lungu and his running mate should ask Ms. Wina to refuse to take questions from the UPND because clearly they do not recognise her and the President.

“Since they are unlikely to do the above, UPND MPs being second offenders, the Speaker and the parliamentary committee on Privileges, Privileges and Support Services should review this issue critically and consider what disciplinary measures to take in line with the rules of the house.

“These MPs cannot even claim that they succumbed to their party’s intimidation because they know too well that the law is on their side,” he said.

Meanwhile 3rd Liberation Movement president Roosevelt Tonga has described UPND MPs as acting like monuments  driven by their president, Hakainde Hichilema, to shun Parliament because of his refusal to recognize President Edgar Lungu.

Mr Tonga said it was unacceptable and uncalled for for the UPND parliamentarians to boycott Parliament last Friday on the orders of their party president.

He said their action was an indication that the MPs and their president did not have the interest of the people at heart but were leaders for their selfish benefit.

“MPs represent people in their constituencies in Parliament and should not deny the rights of the people who voted for them having information because their president HH does not recognize President Edgar Lungu,” Mr Tonga said.