Chaos in Zambian Parliament

Business in Parliament was this afternoon suspended for the second consecutive day following opposition demands for the release of the draft constitution by the Patriotic Front government.

When Parliament resumed sitting today Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini called for two statements to be delivered by Vice President Guy Scot and Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula.

After the statements Matibini called for points of clarification to which Mwandi MMD Member of Parliament Michael Kaingu rose to question why the Speaker had allowed the delivery of statements without addressing the real issue which was burning on many Zambians’ minds about the constitution.

Matibini ignored Kaingu and called for another question which PF Lupososhi MP dutifully asked about the police.

Three consecutive point of orders from Bweengwa UPND MP Highgvie Hamududu, MMD’s Chembe MP Mwansa Mbulakulima and Choma MP Cornelius Mweetwa all demanding that the constitution be addressed blew up the order in the house as Matibini put up a spirited fight to continue with business.

Opposition MPs stood their ground and Matibini unleashed parliament security in the house ordering the MPs to either sit or leave the house.

The MPs stood their ground and refused to neither sit down nor leave the house.

The Speaker then suspended business of the house.

The opposition Members of Parliament were angered by an indistinct ministerial statement issued by Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba on the constitution.

Government has dilly dallied on the constitution making process which was one of the key campaign tools they promised to deliver within 90 days of assuming power.

On Wednesday, the Speaker was forced to suspend business after opposition MPs kept screaming constitution at any attempt to proceed without addressing the issue of the constitution.

A meeting with selected opposition MPs, the Speaker, Vice-President Guy Scott and members of the executive was later held with government officials promising a tangible solution on Tuesday.

Opposition MPs have warned of unprecedented chaos in the house if the government does not offer a solution to the constitution by Tuesday. / Courtesy of Zambia Reports