By CHARLES MUSONDA
THE Lusaka High Court has reserved ruling to tomorrow in a case eight Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament have filed ex parte summons for leave to apply for judicial review of their expulsion from the House after nullification of their seats.
Judge-in-charge, Gertrude Chawatama, who sat with two other judges Susan Wanjelani and Mwila Kombe, reserved the ruling yesterday after hearing the application filed by the MPs’ lawyer, Mr Makebi Zulu.Hordes of PF supporters thronged the High Court roundabout to give solidarity to the expelled MPs who include Bowman Lusambo (Kabushi), Joe Malanji (Kwacha), Allen Banda (Chimwemwe), Kalalwe Mukosa (Chinsali), Mutotwe Kafwaya (Lunte), Lucas Simumba (Nakonde), Taulo Chewe (Lubansenshi), and Christopher Chibuye (Mkushi North).
PF Kasama Central MP Sibongile Mwamba, who is also affected by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti’s expulsion of the MPs, is not party to the application for judicial review.
Addressing the supporters after yesterday’s court sitting, PF vice president Given Lubinda said the former ruling party will not allow the United Party for National Development (UPND) to destroy the country’s democracy.
Mr. Lubinda said grassroot PF members will make the party stronger and not individual leaders.
He said the PF members’ presence at the High Court showed Zambians that the former ruling party is still alive and that those saying that it has died are lying.
Mr. Lubinda said the PF will allow the High Court to deliver its ruling tomorrow but that Zambian citizens will make a final judgment on the matter.
“The citizens of Zambia are watching what is happening to their democracy. We are not going to allow UPND to destroy multiparty democracy in Zambia. A certain UPND MP was convicted by the Magistrates’ Court but appealed against the conviction and the appeal worked as stay of execution of the conviction.
“The Speaker did not expel nine MPs but expelled nine constituencies. How will the nine constituencies operate without members of Parliament? We will wait for Wednesday for the Judiciary to tell Zambians how democracy and parliamentarism shall be respected in Zambia,” Mr. Lubinda said.
He thanked the PF members for behaving in an orderly and peaceful manner at the High Court and urged them to remain united and loving towards one another.
Mr. Lubinda said if PF members do not strengthen the former ruling party, President Hakainde Hichilema will amend Zambia’s Constitution to make himself life President.
“We want democracy to continue. You PF members are the only ones who can watch what Hakainde Hichilema is doing and stop him from creating a dictatorship in Zambia. Do not allow anyone to create disturbance or war for us. Let’s remain united, peaceful, and let us remain a party of choice for Zambians,” Mr. Lubinda said.
PF acting Secretary General Nickson Chilangwa and information and publicity chairperson Raphael Nakacinda also addressed the supporters, urging them to remain strong.
Mr. Chilangwa said the UPND’s victory in the August 12, 2021 general elections did not mean that Zambia belongs to the ruling party.
He said it is the citizens’ responsibility to ensure that the nation’s democracy continues to grow and prevail.
He told the PF supporters to ignore lies being peddled against them and that time will soon come when the opposition party will no longer tolerate political oppression.
Mr. Chilangwa said majority citizens have confessed that PF is the only hope for Zambia because the UPND government has allegedly failed to govern the country but does not want to admit its failures.
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