Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Mweenge Chimfwembe – FODEP Executive Director
The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has urged Members of Parliament to find a way to return the House to a more cooperative atmosphere, following a verbal brawl on Friday in the chambers and one of the most acrimonious Vice President’s question time.
FODEP Executive Director Mweenge Chimfwembe says his organization is dismayed that the atmosphere in the House has been “difficult” in recent times and it seems the parliamentary chamber is slowly being turned into an “inherently adversarial forum that tends to foster conflict”.
Mr. Chimfwembe says FODEP is appalled that the speaker Dr. Patrick Matibini did not dish out any punishment over Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe’s verbal dustup with Chishimba Kambwili and Garry Nkombo, although he urged all MPs to show decorum and set a positive example for Zambians.
He has observed that lately, it appears that all sides in the House have, at different times strayed quite far from the flexibility, accommodation and balance that ideally ought to exist in the House.
He states that voters expect all members of parliament to make greater efforts to curb disorder and unruly behavior.
Mr. Chimfwembe has furthermore urged all MPs to reflect on how best to return the House to the convivial, cooperative atmosphere that all the electorates would prefer.
He also hoping that the Speaker will be able to control the heckling and sneering that has become the norm in the Vice President’s question period in the House.