Civil Rights Activist MacDonald Chipenzi has described the charge of illegal assembly on Roan lawmaker Chishimba Kambwili as an abuse of authority by the executive.
In a statement below, Chipenzi states that there is a ruling by the Speaker of the National Assembly allowing Members of Parliament to hold meetings in their constituencies without police permit.
UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY CHARGE ON CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI PURE ABUSE OF STATE AUTHORITY AND POWER BY THE EXECUTIVE.
IT is amazing to hear that Roan PF MP has been charged with unlawful assembly when there is standing ruling from the National Assembly of Zambia Speaker, Dr. Patrick Matibini advising the Police to allow MPs hold meetings in their constituencies.
Unless the executive is disregarding the legislature, the police action on Chishimba Kambwili is pure impunity and disorder.
just to refresh the police and those who may have short memories, on 2nd July, 2015 the Speaker ruled on a point of order raised by then Mwinilunga UPND MP Stephen Katuka that Police Should Allow MPS to hold meetings in their Constituencies
Dr. Matibini said the Parliamentarians do not require a Police Permit but should notify the Police of their presence and that the Police were in breach of the privileges accorded to Parliamentarians to visit their constituencies.
The Speaker noted that Parliament is concerned to learn that Mr. Katuka was hindered from addressing his constituents on account that he did not give the police seven days notice.
With the above recap from the National Assembly, where did the police get the guts to charge an MP who addresses his electorates in his constituency “unlawful Assembly” ?
Isn’t it just a way of undermining the dialogue and reconciliation process?