Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has ruled that former Kasama Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba and his Mfuwe counterpart were both out of order when they exchanged insults in an altercation which nearly led to a fiscal confrontation.
Delivering ruling on a point of order raised by Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo on 24th July, 2015 who wanted to know whether it was in order for Mr Malama to attempt to attack Mr Mwamba while he was having his tea,Dr Matibini said from the written reports received from the National Assembly security department as well as from the Restaurant and housekeeping staff which indicate that there was an exchange of abusive language and insults between the two.
Dr Matibini says this would have degenerated into a physical fight had it not been for the swift intervention of the security officers and fellow Members of Parliament who separated the duo.
He says the House has parliamentary rules on etiquette that call upon members to conduct themselves inside the house and its precincts in a manner that enhances the dignity and decorum of the house and of the members in general.
The Speaker adds that these rules prohibit the use of insulting language against a fellow member and instead encourage members of Parliament to be courteous to each other.
And the Speaker has exercised leniency on Radio Phoenix for erroneously stating on one of its phone-in radio shows that Members of Parliament had their emoluments increased following a resolution of the house.
Ruling on a point of order raised by Kalomo Member of Parliament Request Muntanga whether it was in order for Radio Phoenix to mislead the public by giving them incorrect information that Members of Parliament had their salaries increased, Dr Matibini said the mere adoption of the report of the Committee on Reforms did not mean that the emoluments of Members of Parliament had been increased forthwith.
He states that by broadcasting a programme informing the public that Members of Parliament had unanimously increased their salaries when this was not the case, Radio Phoenix had misrepresented the proceedings of the assembly.