Speaker rules Sinda MP out of order

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has ruled Sinda MMD Member of Parliament Levy Ngoma out of order for questioning his decision to send out of the house Katombora Member of Parliament Derrick Livune for misconduct.

This was in a ruling delivered on a point of order raised by Mr. Ngoma who asked whether the house in order to be biased on one day chasing the Katombora MP out of the house and on another allowing Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili to remain in the house when he had committed a similar offence.

Dr. Matibini said Standing Order 61 provides for any member who wishes to challenge the decision of the chair to do so by moving a substantive motion.

He said the Speaker and other presiding officers occupy an exhorted position and as such they must be treated with respect and deference, and that any statement or conduct in the house reflecting adversely on the Speaker either directly or indirectly constitutes contempt of the house.

Dr. Matibini pointed out that presiding officers in the house have discretionary powers to met out disciplinary actions and do so judiciously based on objective facts regarding the conduct of the members in the house.