HH in trouble?

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 15:08:32 +0000

By OSCAR MALIPENGA

FOR calling the Speaker  a cadre who is unsuitable  to lead the National Assembly, Hakainde Hichilema may face disciplinary action in Parliament.

Yesterday, Mwansabombwe Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament Rodgers Mwewa rose on a point of order to compel Dr. Matibini to rule whether or not Mr. Hichilema was in order to brand him a ‘‘cadre’’ and a ‘‘disgrace’’ not fit to be a Speaker.

According to yesterday’s The Mast Newspaper, Mr Hichilema was quoted as saying Dr. Matibini was ‘‘basically a disgrace to the people of Zambia’’ because of the way he was managing Parliament.

The UPND leader’s remarks prompted Mr. Mwewa to raise a point of order demanding that Mr. Hichilema should account for his statement.

“Dr. Patrick Matibini is a cadre not fit to sit in Parliament as Speaker,” Mr Hichilema is quoted as saying.

“He is basically a disgrace to the people of Zambia because of the way he is managing Parliament,” Mr. Mwewa quoted the first and second paragraphs of the front page article.

Mr. Mwewa said the Patriotic Front (PF), Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), United National Independent Party (UNIP) and all the Independent Members of Parliament have never insulted the Speaker.

“Mr. Speaker but today, UPND, for the leader to say what he has said, he had to consult my fellow colleagues the UPND Members of Parliament.

“This, Mr Speaker, is unacceptable in this country; it is unprecedented and he is supposed to be summoned here,” Mr. Mwewa said.

He demanded that the UPND leader deserved to be punished.

“Is he in order to disgrace this House, demean this House and its chairman (Speaker) who we respect so much? I thank you, Mr. Speaker,” he said.

Mr. Mwewa laid the Mast Newspaper publication on the table as evidence of what Mr. Hichilema said.

“Order! Order! Order,’’ the Speaker told the agitated MPs. ‘‘My ruling: I will reserve it to enable me study what has been deposited on the table of the House,’’.