By BARNABAS ZULU
BOB Sichinga has described as nothing but an embarrassing fiasco, the conduct of the National Assembly presiding officers, whose decisions and rulings in the House have been more partisan than being neutral umpires, resulting into the High Court lambasting deputy Speaker Moses Moyo for illegally and irrationally declaring nine Patriotic Front (PF) seats vacant.
Mr Sichinga, the former Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister says it is hugely embarrassing that the National Assembly has now been compelled to immediately vacate its decision to declare Nine Patriotic Front seats vacant after Mr Moyo ignored courts matters regarding the status of the MPs.
On Tuesday, the High Court admonished second deputy Speaker Moyo for acting, illegally, irrationally and beyond his authority by usurping the powers of the courts, thereby undermining the Judiciary.
Mr Sichinga has hence expressed his disappointment with the ongoing events in Parliament, which have caused the National Assembly to gravely suffer credibility erosion because of the biased behavior of the presiding officers.
“We have a fiasco at Parliament. You can’t treat it as a simple matter; it requires decorum,” he stated. “Parliament should be the first to adhere to the laws it enacts. What we’re witnessing is a total failure of parliamentary standards,” Mr Sichinga said.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and dignity of the National Assembly by ensuring that the presiding officers should never reduce themselves to a cadre branch of the ruling party in the House.
“The House should be respected and looked up to. It is embarrassing to see ministers responding to questions in such a frivolous manner, which erodes public confidence in the government,” he said.
Mr Sichinga criticized the actions of Mr Moyo, who with total disregard of the Standing Orders declared the nine PF seats vacant, asserting that all presiding officers should follow the rules and maintain decorum, regardless of their professional background.
“The rule of natural justice must be followed. You cannot act as you please,” he warned.
Mr Sichinga has called for accountability among the presiding officers, urging that Parliament should restore its respect and credibility to regain the public’s trust.
“The house should be dignified, the house should be respected and it must be looked up to. Now, we have a situation where ministers answer questions frivolously. It undermined the confidence that people have in government. So, we need to restore the respect of the house,” he said.
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