“No ba speaker takwaba ifyo naimwe,” Nkana MP blasts at speaker for cutting him off
NKANA Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu yesterday fumed at the Second Deputy Speaker Moses Moyo who interrupted Mpundu’s speech in the National Assembly.
Mpundu who rose on urgent matters without notice to raise concern over the conduct of the Zambia Army officers who were reportedly involved in incidents of civilian assault on the Copperbelt got the shock of his life when Moyo informed him that his time was up, just two minutes into his presentation.
“No ba speaker, takwaba ifyo naimwe, takwaba naimwe (No Mr. Speaker, there’s no such thing),” remarked Mpundu.
According to the Speaker, Mpundu had violated the standing orders by raising two separate issues instead of focusing on one substantive matter as required for matters of urgency without notice.
“Order, order, your time is up honourable member. Your time is up, two minutes is up, may you take your seat. You are on record that you were raising two matters and as a result it can’t be admitted,” said Moyo.
This interruption did not go without notice from some members of parliament who responded in unison stating “awe takwaba.”
“Honorable members, we all know our standing orders and we are guided by the rules. And these matters are timed. Apparently, our standing orders are quite specific that a matter of urgent without notice has to be precise. Meaning that you have to raise one substantive issue,” noted the second deputy speaker.
By Catherine Pule
(Credit: Kalemba)