Speaker to decide MMD MP’s fate

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 13:24:43 +0000

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibini has reserved a ruling to decide whether or not MMD’s Howard Kunda qualifies to be in the House for allegedly crossing over to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).

Yesterday, leader of the opposition in Parliament Jack Mwiimbu alleged that Mr. Kunda crossed the floor to join the ruling party contrary to article 72 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Zambia.

In a point of order, Mr. Mwiimbu presented a letter by Mr. Kunda addressed to the Speaker (Matibini) in which he allegedly addressed himself as a member of the Patriotic Front (PF). “Mr Speaker, is Honourable Howard Kunda in order to remain in this House after crossing the floor and joining the PF?

“Mr Speaker, I have in my hand a letter by Honourable Howard Kunda addressed to yourself (Speaker) where he complained against all members of the UPND except Chilanga MP Keith Mukata,” he said.

Mr. Mwiimbu said in the letter Mr. Kunda signed it as a member of the Patriotic Front (PF) and not as MMD.

“Is he in order to remain in this House when he has crossed the floor as far as we are concerned when he was elected on the MMD ticket but he has consciously addressed the people and yourself (Speaker) that he is a member of the Patriotic Front?” Mr. Mwiimbu asked.

But Dr. Matibini reserved his ruling, adding that he needed to read the letter which Mr. Mwiimbu had tabled on the floor of the House.

“My ruling as you can guess, I have to read the letter in question. I cannot make a ruling and conclude this matter,” he said.

And when contacted after Parliament had adjourned yesterday, Mr. Kunda said the mistake could have been made by the person who drafted his letter.

Mr. Kunda said the person who drafted his letter was the same one who might have written letters for the Patriotic Front (PF) members, hence the mistake.