Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
MAZABUKA Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo has escaped jail after being found in breach of Parliamentary privileges after he tabled a falsified document purported to be a ZESCO Internal memorandum in which the ZESCO director of Finance allegedly wrote to the Managing Director informing him that he had paid K3 million of the K10 million he was directed to pay PF Secretary General Davies Mwila.
Making a ruling on a point of order raised by Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Tutwa Ngulube on Mr Nkombo’s tabling of a falsified document, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini who had referred the matter to the committee on priviledges, absences and support services for determination said by tabling the internal memorandum without verifying its authenticity, Mr Nkombo was in breach of parliamentary privileges.
Dr Matibini says it is a criminal offence under section 18 of the national assembly powers and privileges Act to present to the assembly or any committee of parliament any false, untrue and falsified document.
He says anyone found guilty is liable to fine or conviction not exceeding 10,000 penalty units or a prison term not exceeding six months or both.
The Speaker however, stated that he had accepted the recommendation of the committee on privileges, absences and support services that Mr Nkombo should not be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution in accordance with section 27 of national assembly powers and privileges Act since he was a first offender.
Meanwhile Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has admonished Siavonga District Commissioner Lovemore Kanyama for disparaging area Member of Parliament Darius Mulunda while on parliamentary duty with the parliamentary committee on government assurances which was in Siavonga to check on government projects.
Dr Matibini strongly urged Mr Kanyama who was found in breach of parliamentary privileges to in future desist from demeaning, belittling and threatening any Member of Parliament while carrying out parliamentary work.
Mr Kanyama was made to apologize to the house and directed to immediately leave the precincts of Parliament.