Mukata asks Speaker to reverse the Chilanga declaration

Keith Mukata

Speaker, Dr Matibini

Chilanga opposition UPND Member of Parliament Keith Mukata who was convicted of murder has asked the Speaker of National Assembly Patrick Matibini to rescind his decision of declaring his seat vacant.

Dr Matibini in his letter to Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) last week said the Chilanga seat had fallen vacant after Mukata’s conviction. He told the ECZ to start preparing of holding a by-election within 90 days.

But Mukata who has appealedn his sentence to the Supreme Court says he is not a convict to have his seat declared vacant. He says the Speaker should correct this and withdraw his decision.

Mukata says if the Speaker fails to do so he will be forced to apply to the Constitutional Court.

He was convicted of murdering his Security Guard while his co-accused was set free.

Meanwhile President Lungu says he respect the decision of the Speaker to declare the Chilanga seat vacant. He said his party was ready and will win the seat without difficulties.

President Lungu said this on Wednesday at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport upon arrival from South Africa. As a lawyer he was asked by Journalists his view on the declaration when the conviction was being contested.