By OLIVER SAMBOKO
Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has reprimanded PF acting president Given Lubinda for issuing contemptuous remarks against her.
In her ruling yesterday, Ms Mutti said Mr Lubinda has been found in breach of parliamentary privileges and in contempt of the House by the Committee on Privileges and Absences.
She said following the findings, the committee has recommended that Mr Lubinda be reprimanded at the Bar of the Assembly under section 28(4) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia.
Her ruling follows a point of order raised by Kalabo Member of Parliament , Charles Miyutu, against Mr Lubinda alleging that social studies pupils were more informed than the current Speaker of the national assembly.
The Speaker said on March 2, 2022, the Office of the Clerk informed Mr Lubinda, that one of the media houses that covered the press conference aired the contemptuous remarks and subsequently, requested him to appear before the Committee on Privileges and Absences.
She explained that in response, Mr Lubinda requested the Office of Clerk to avail the publication that was produced by Muvi Television to enable him study it and make an informed response.
The Speaker said following that response, the Office of the Clerk transcribed the relevant portion of the statement and sent it to Mr Lubinda for confirmation on whether the statement was correctly attributed to him and that by a letter dated March 11, 2022, Mr Lubinda stated that the transcription was not correctly attributed to him.
She said the Office of the Clerk wrote to Muvi Television requesting the station for footage of the press conference.
The Speaker said it is clear that Mr Lubinda breached parliamentary privilege and is in contempt of the National Assembly as his statement was disrespectful to the Speaker.
She said the national assembly is extremely displeased with the conduct of Mr Lubinda as it was contemptuous and disrespectful to the office of the Speaker.
The Speaker said Mr Lubinda’s statement also demeaned the dignity and decorum of the National assembly because his conduct is unacceptable and unbefitting his status as a person who served in the House for a long period both as a backbencher and Minister.
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