Ban UPND MPs, Komaki urges Speaker

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 06:23:52 +0000

By NATION REPORTER

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini should consider suspending UPND Members of Parliament (MPs) from attending parliamentary sittings and participate in the daily business of the House for truancy and absconding Parliament for the second time in the same session, Julius Komaki has charged.

Mr Komaki has threatened that Patriotic Front (PF) youths would have no choice but to picket the National Assembly and block the UPND lawmakers from entering Parliament building because they had exhibited ‘‘uncouth political conduct’’ towards President Edgar Lungu and the citizens in general.

Mr Komaki said the UPND lawmakers had apologised to President Lungu and the nation at large the first time they boycotted the official opening of Parliament by the Head of State and were curtly reprimanded by Dr Matibini over their conduct. He said it was shameful that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema had remained ‘‘in an election mood’’ and was misguiding his MPs to continue disrespecting President Lungu more than six months after the opposition leader was defeated in the last general elections.

He explained that it was ‘‘politically ironical’’ that the UPND MPs had resolved to respect and recognise Vice-President Inonge Wina who was the running mate to President Lungu but had remained insolent by refusing to recognise the Head of State as the legitimate President of Zambia.

“It is our expectation that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Matibini, is this time going to act firmly against the truant UPND Members of Parliament. The first time they boycotted the official opening of Parliament by President Lungu, they apologised to the House and the nation at large and were sternly warned.

‘‘They have repeated their insolent behaviour and they are not supposed to be in Parliament. Let them start assembling at Mr Hichilema’s house where they can continue mourning about their electoral defeat.

“We shall be compelled as youths in Lusaka to picket Parliament and physically block the UPND from entering the National Assembly grounds if they will be tolerated by the Speaker. It is not Mr Hichilema who voted for the MPs but Zambians and they should therefore respect the wish of the majority of citizens,” Mr Komaki said.

He said the UPND had missed the opportunity to address their concerns in Parliament by boycotting the special address by President Lungu. Mr Komaki commended Chilanga UPND Member of Parliament Keith Mukata as well as Independent MPs for remaining in Parliament during President Lungu’s special address to the House.

He said Mr Mukata had exhibited true leadership by refusing to be part of the uncouth behaviour by the UPND lawmakers and hoped that many others would realise their folly and abandon Mr Hichilema’s futile exercise.