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Fri, 31 Mar 2017 11:19:27 +0000

 CONTINUED attacks on the Speaker of the National Assembly by opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema is unacceptable and a mark of a failing political party, Government Chief Whip Richard Musukwa has said.

Mr Musukwa has advised Mr Hichilema to desist from his ‘‘despicable conduct’’ of attacking Speaker of National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini.

The UPND leader was recently quoted in The Mast Newspaper as saying Dr. Matibini was a cadre not fit to be in Parliament. Mr. Hichilema also echoed the same sentiments on Muvi TV television.

Mr. Hichilema alleged that Dr. Matibini was a disgrace because of the way he was managing Parliament.

But in an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Musukwa said Mr Hichilema must desist from blatantly exposing his ignorance about parliamentary practice and procedure by making uninformed statements which were not supported by facts.

He said the continued attacks on the Speaker showed Mr Hichilema’s high levels of ignorance in relation to parliamentary practice and procedures.

“Mr Hichilema should equally desist from casting aspersions on the noble and dignified Office of the Speaker as the holder of the office is not involved in partisan politics. As you may be aware, the Office of the Speaker enjoys an exalted position in our system of governance.

He said UPND was in a self-destruction mode looking at how the party was conducting itself.

Mr Musukwa invited Mr Hichilema to follow the procedures and parliamentary etiquette in the public gallery during the next session of Parliament in June.

He accused Mr Hichilema of wanting to mislead the nation by misrepresenting the facts about the Office of the Speaker.

Mr Musukwa urged the opposition leader to be sober and wait for the 2021 election instead of exhibiting his bitterness.

“Mr Hichilema is embarrassing himself, we expect him to behave in a dignified manner. Any assault on the Speaker is an assault on the Constitution of Zambia,” Mr Musukwa said.