GBM loses Parliamentary seat

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has expelled Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known as GBM from Parliament and subsequently declared the Kasama Central seat vacant for holding dual membership.

This follows Mr Mwamba’s appointment as UPND Vice President for Administration last week, a move which meant he had crossed the floor in contravention of article 71(2)C of the constitution.

Delivering ruling on a point of order raised by Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila last week on whether Mr Mwamba was in order to remain in the house when he had crossed the floor by joining the UPND against Article 71(2)C of the constitution,Dr Matibini said it is his well considered view that by accepting the position of UPND vice president Mr Mwamba became an office bearer in the UPND and consequently a member of opposition party as defined by Section 2 of the Societies Act.

Dr Matibini said it is utterly inconceivable that the entire UPND top brass could possibly appoint a committed,devoted and loyal member of the PF to such a high ranking party position, stating that the only reasonable conclusion he can come to from the circumstances of the case in question is that Mr Mwamba has quit PF and joined the UPND as its vice president for administration.

He pointed out that article 71(2) C of the constitution outlaws dual membership.

Dr Matibini said in keeping with the precedent of the House as set by his predecessor Speaker Amusa Mwanamwambwa in the case of the late Benny Tetamashimba as affirmed by the High Court, Mr Mwamba in joining the UPND a political party on which he was not elected crossed the floor and lost his seat.

Meanwhile Dr Matibini has cleared four UPND Members of Parliament serving in the PF Government as deputy Ministers and Lubansenshi MP Patrick Mucheleka of having crossed the floor by associating with the UPND.

In clearing the four UPND MPs namely Greyford Monde,Dawson Kafwaya,Richwell Siamunene and Poniso Njeulu, Dr Matibini cited provisions of article 46 and 47 of the constitution which allows the President to appoint Ministers and Deputy Ministers from among Members of Parliament.