Go seat in Parliament, PF directs barred MPs

Opposition Patriotic Front vice president Given Lubinda has directed all PF Members of Parliament who have been barred from attending parliamentary proceedings by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti following the nullification of their seats by the High Court to continue attending parliament from the gallery until the Constitutional Court makes final determinations in their appeals.

Speaking at a media briefing at the PF secretariat in Lusaka today, Mr Lubinda says the speaker says the directive by the Speaker in her ruling on a point of order is not valid arguing that it’s not her responsibility to order the Members of Parliament to stop attending parliamentary proceedings or not, but that her duty is to preside over the proceedings.

He says by her action, the speaker interfered with a matter that is active in the courts of law, thereby breaching the constitution.

Mr Lubinda has charged that the ruling by the Speaker is politically influenced as she is informed about the responsibilities of the speaker of the national assembly.

He has further questioned whether the appointment of Mrs Mutti was on merit, accusing her of incompetence in executing her role as Speaker of the National Assembly.