Africa-Press – Zambia. SPEAKER of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti yesterday sent out Kabushi PF member of parliament, Bowman Lusambo for disrespecting the decorum of the House.
This was after Lusambo earlier on walked out of parliament when Speaker Mutti ordered him to sit down as he tried to argue with her. After being ordered to sit, Lusambo walked out of the House in anger and only went back after some time.
Later, home affairs minister Jack Mwiimbu raised a point of order on Lusambo’s conduct, asking the Speaker if the Kabushi lawmaker was in order to walk out on the presiding officer.
“As I raise this very important point of order, Madam Speaker, I would like you to take judicial notice pertaining to the rulings of this House on the decorum, etiquette and general conduct of the members of this House. Madam Speaker, you may be aware that this House has made various rulings pertaining to the conduct of members who walk out on the presiding officer immediately the presiding officer makes a ruling that goes against them,” said Mwiimbu. “Is the Honourable member for Kabushi, Honourable Bowman Lusambo in order to walk out on you and protest because of his unhappiness pertaining to the ruling and guidance you made on the question he was trying to raise on the floor of the House during Her Honour, the Vice-President’s Question Time? Is he in order to bring your status into public ridicule by walking out on you in protest and in anger that you ruled against him? Is he in order, Madam Speaker?”
In response, Speaker Mutti acknowledged that Lusamabo was certainly out of order. “Indeed, I did notice the Honourable member for Kabushi walking out when I asked him to sit down. So, the Honourable member for Kabushi actually is definitely out of order. And this conduct amounts to ridiculing the presiding officer who was presiding over the affairs of this House,” said Speaker Mutti. “And in order for us to continue with the decorum and dignity of this House, the Honourable member for Kabushi will be excused from the sitting of this House for today so that he can go and vent his anger outside, not in this House. The Honourable member for Kabushi is requested to leave the House.”
Earlier during the Vice-President’s Question Time, Lusambo lost his temper when Mutti was giving him guidance as he tried to ask a question. Instead of going straight to the question, Lusambo started going round as he invited heckles from ruling party members.
Despite constant guidance from the Speaker, he insisted on responding back. And as the Speaker asked him to sit down, Lusambo who was still standing burst into a tirade targeted at ruling party members.
“Guys, you’re in government. You are not in opposition. You’re in government, in Executive; and you are reliable (sic) to these checks and balances. Grow up guys,” he shouted. Again, Speaker Mutti ordered him to sit down as she gave guidance.
“Can you sit down, please! When I’m making an order you know the rules, you’re supposed to sit down. I’m giving guidance here,” she said. “For me to be able to listen to your question properly, please be specific. Ask the question so that I get the gist of the question. As you’ve been talking, I’ve not even gotten what your question is. Can you stand up now and ask a proper question?”
Immediately he stood, Lusambo tried to justify his conduct which the Speaker had already ruled on. “Madam Speaker, when you’re coming up with a question, the question is supposed to have a background,” said Lusambo.
But Mutti quickly interjected and cautioned him, “Don’t argue, honourable member!” Seemingly ignoring the guidance, Lusambo tried to engage the Vice-President directly.
“Madam Vice-President,” said Lusambo as Mutti quickly chipped in. “Honourable, can you sit down! Sit down, that question will be disregarded.”
