Parley suspends Mweetwa for discrediting Speaker

By NOEL IYOMBWA UPND Choma Central Member of Parliament, Cornelius Mweetwa has been suspended from parliament for 30 days for discrediting the officer of the Speaker. Mr Mweetwa accused the Speaker, Dr Patrick Matibini of constituting the Select Committee which scrutinised the Bill 10, deliberately included two MPs whom he knew would not form part of the Committee because they would stay away. He said Dr Matibini was trying to help PF parliamentarians to sneak in the Bill through the “backdoor.” First deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Mwimba Malama ruled that Mr Mweetwa be suspend for 30 days. This followed a point of order raised by Shiwang’andu MP, Steven Kampyongo, against Mr Mweetwa for casting aspersions on the office of the Speaker during a live discussion television programme on Prime Television last year. Mr Kampyongo wanted to know if Mr Mweetwa was in order to cast aspersions on the Speaker’s office and make allegations for the purpose of the integrity of Parliament. In rendering the ruling on the matter, Mr Malama said that it was a breach of privilege to reflect upon the impartiality of the Speaker or of the House. Mr. Malama stated that in accordance with section 28 subsection 3 of the National Assembly powers and Privileges Act, during the period, Mr. Mweetwa would not be allowed to enter the precincts of the Assembly and the National Assembly motel. He also explained that Mr. Mweetwa would not be allowed to participate in any activity of the Assembly or any committee that he may be assigned in his capacity as a Member of Parliament until May 7th. Thus, in accordance with section 28 (2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, which requires a resolution of the House to suspend a Member from the House, Mr Malama put the question that the House suspends Mr Mweetwa for 30 days effective Thursday, April 8, 2021 and the “Ayes” had it hence the question was resolved in the affirmative.