Opposition Members of Parliament this afternoon forced Parliament to prematurely adjourn after they absconded from asking questions they had listed on the order paper.
It appears this is the latest form of protests from the opposition MPs in demand of the new constitution.
Several questions lapsed leading to the House adjourning after convening for only 30 minutes amid a heavy presence of riot Police around Parliament and nearby areas on the Great East Road, keeping vigil.
Dr Matibini said he was taken aback by the absence of some of the MPs and that his officials were not aware over their conduct, describing the development as unfortunate.
“I have been taken aback by the absence of the questionnaires as my office has no knowledge why and it is most unfortunate. A great deal of time is taken to list questions and no answers are given. The questions are asked in representative capacity and so this is a disservice to the constituents. I hope this practice for whatever reason, will come to an end,” he said.
Out of the 20 questions on the order paper, only one from Chipili PF MP Davies Mwila was asked with 19 lapsing.
When the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini called for the questions, all the opposition MPs did not rise to ask or were not present in the house.
Dr Matibini had earlier announced that Mazabuka Central UPND MP Garry Nkombo will present a private member’s motion on the constitution on Friday.
The motion read; “that this House urges the Government to provide a roadmap for the enactment of a new Constitution and also to expedite the process considering that the work of the Technical Committee on drafting the Constitution has completed and is ready for submission”.
Mr Nkombo’s request was in accordance with Standing Order number 36 and that following a successful consultative meeting held in the afternoon today, it had been agreed that the motion would be deferred to Friday instead of today.
Dr Matibini said this was meant to allow the parties to the consultative meeting to carry out the necessary consultations to enable them, including the Executive, to effectively respond to the motion.
Dr Matibini said the meeting between the opposition and government side over the constitution had taken place resulting in the two sides agreeing to allow Mr Nkombo to present the motion.
The Speaker also allowed Lands Minister Harry Kalaba to raise a point of order whether UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was in order to instruct his MPs to continue protesting in parliament.
The Speaker however reserved ruling on the matter.
And heavily armed police officers surrounded Parliament building in readiness to quell any possible clashes by party cadres.
Viva oposition, we’l straighten chumbu…Kp goin strong we r behind u….(•_•)
Opposition MP’s are bullying the current regime.
This is a worrying sign, that the PF MP’s are being
Subjugated by the opposition. The president has Fainthearted undermined them
and pretty much the reason why they are diffident because they are ‘useless’
Before it is too late the president has to intervene, I don’t know how, but the trend is worrying because the gravitation has given the swagger and confidence to the opposition.
What is going on?
Thanks
SATA AND HIS PF STOOGES FEELING THE HEAT INDEED!
People want cheap ubunga, fuel , well paying jobs stable currency and above all the constitution which will check Sata’s recklessness and stealing in the name of projects.
In his usual comedy style Chumbu Munshololwa still thinks our resolve to have a Constitution now is a Laughing matter.
This is serious business, a matter of Life and death. If we think chumbu, any of his cronies including the sham of a Speaker are a stumbling block, we will take him out of the Equation.
This is a simple case! no need for fights… president Sata just release the draft constitution and let Zambians debate on what they want to include in their new constitution
President Sata shouldNOT think he is king or own Zambia,,, the man was employed(voted in) by a minority zambians Make no mistake
Wow the thieves have had productive field day today given by fellow PF thieves who decided to move all the police force to guard parliament .
Mushota,
Why are you using Alex Salmond’s word? – “Bullying”.
Ok, here is the constitution, now we have food and money in abundance and UTH is fully stocked again and our roads and schools are good again. Is the constitution the salve we need for all our pains?
I am also protesting here at LT. I am not going to comment.
Futile effort from the Bantustan leadership.
wont get you anywhere
@Gen, whether Bantustan or not, we need the constitution.You could be against this because you are so dull to discern it’s relevance.
Absconding is one way of protesting.
Did the Opposition Leader not inform the Speaker about the pending boycott?
Sata is about the same age as a Grand Father. The least I expect from an OLD RUG like him is to lie to me as that doesn’t show any respect at all.
Gone are the days when these Old Rugs will LIE and expect to get away with it. Not anymore.
Stupid opposition Mp’s.What a bunch of pricks !
Maybe more stupid is yourself.
SATA AND HIS PF STOOGES FEELING THE HEAT INDEED!
People want cheap ubunga, fuel , well paying jobs stable currency and above all the constitution which will check Sata’s recklessness and stealing in the name of projects.
I think that you and the useless PF MPs are the ones who are stupid
By the way, who is loosing through these protests? I remember when I was at university sometime very long ago, we used to pretest for almost every silly event on campus. But we were still subjected to pass exams. I hope all the MP will pass their exams come 2016.
With due respect @janice what planet are you from? How hard is it to recognise the importance of having a new constitution. I wish our people could be a lot more mordern thinking than what’s exhibited by you. Zambia is hungry for progressive thinking people and that am afraid is a quality we’re never going to harvest in the PF… As far as am concerned they are politically obsolete
Janice I think you are a dependent who does not need to worry whether we have the constitution or not. Please leave people who have responsibilities, i.e. a family to feed, children to take to school demand for the constitution otherwise I think you are just a sore loser.
Very cantankerous behavior.Bali tumpa ba fee car la ba opposition.HH is misleading them.Very stupid
SATA AND HIS PF STOOGES FEELING THE HEAT INDEED!
People want cheap ubunga, fuel , well paying jobs stable currency and above all the constitution which will check Sata’s recklessness and stealing in the name of projects.
Keep up the good work…this is the only language these two faced PF politicians understand. We have had enough of the lies!!
Keep up the pressure!!
Well done MPs…. Zambians cant assemble to protest, do it for us. we want the constitution now!
You’re not doing your constituebts justice. is this surely the reason why they voted you MPs? lets be serious and approach this constitution issue maturely. dont let an under 5 agent of death mislead you, for you have more political experience than the Hass Hole (HH) whos never been councillor or mp
kudos
DELETED
SATA AND HIS PF STOOGES FEELING THE HEAT INDEED!
People want cheap ubunga, fuel , well paying jobs stable currency and above all the constitution which will check Sata’s recklessness and stealing in the name of projects.
“The position of Gov’t as stated by the Hon. Minister of Justice Mr. Wynter Kabimba is that the document is yet to be handed-over to…the President,… who is the appointing authority of the Technical Committee on the Constitution.” – Mwansa Kapeya
So you would rather listen to these deceitful characters Kabimba and Kapeya feed you these shameless lies[above]… You have clearly swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. They are lying to us like kids even kids would not fall for this rubbish.
Wake up!!
HH is well educated and does not need to start as a chancellor to be a president like a G7s failuer. See how starting as a cancellor to be a president has messed us up in Zambia. Kudos, think men!
@ # Kudos
If you want to have meaningful discussion to happen in the Parliament, please explain presence of heavily armed police on the Parliament grounds.
Police is there to maintain public order?
Police is there to enhance democratic principles?
Police is there to protect Constitution?
Police is there to intimidate duly elected Peoples Representatives?
Please show leadership on the constitution. We have spent billions of taxpayers money ALREADY, so we all have little choice in this matter, unless offcourse we just don’t care in which case we should not be entrusted with any responsibility with public duty.
And more paying ISPs to blog here.
More pressure, we need that document… full stop.
The shame of democracy with undemocratic regime.
Legislators of the house are autonomous and left free from state machinery or influence and presence of strangers (uninvited guests) they debate to the exclusion of the general public because the public elected their representatives who are in the house. The presence of armed uniform force around parliamentary building is intimidating, threatening (life and arrests), illegal and unconstitutional.
Democracy is not debating under the gun, that is failed democracy. Parliament should be dissolved and call for fresh elections as the government has collapsed since parliament has stopped to exist.
Only intimidating to the uninformed Kaponyas…what’s the worst these cops would do? The gov’t is just wasting police manpower there instead of locating it where its needed most on the streets.
Oh, so the Police have also become “honorable members of the House”!! Yaba!
Lets recognise that while the MP’s stance is commendable, Paliament is the highest law making institution of the state. At this time, unthoughtful acts may threaten the very essence of peace, law and order acts as we know it. May I urge all people to be cautiuous.
why hold the house under siege? if we allow the release of the bible of the land under such circumstances, it will be a dishonorable document. the sooner these crooks behave themselves the better. an emotional kabimba has already said when the impasse subsides, all processes will flow through the right channels. so let the appointing authority receive, analyse and release the constitution. we’re all anxious to see it but at least we’re mature, knowing quite well that a functioning constitution exists while we wait for the new. upnd zwa!
SATA AND HIS PF STOOGES FEELING THE HEAT INDEED!
People want cheap ubunga, fuel , well paying jobs stable currency and above all the constitution which will check Sata’s recklessness and stealing in the name of projects.
These opposition MPs have the spine. They are engaging the forces of evil in a do or die affair. Who told these PF rascals that they will get it on a silver platter; denying all peace-loving Zambians a legitimate constitution, without encountering any resistance of any sort? How nuts can they get?
The opposition mps are working and you have taken the right step. please please come back to paliament after President Sata hss released the draft constitution, less than that, you will be as useless as the pf mps.
For sure,Which right step bwana?????? Think before you off load some of these issues.
ok,this is 3-0. our mps are smart, the whole lot including ig done hands down. so what have the cops at parliament achieved? zero!
Due to fear Instilled there is discipline, keep them there until further notice.
Time will tell….!
Umunwe walaya umusunga !!!!!!!! The heat is too heavy . Those whothink othere wise will feel it letter . Promise is promise sir give the people what you promissed . This is when BEMBAs should stand up so that they counted . Mwine LUBEMBA tell us what to do . Pamenso yamubiyo tapema Inkalamo aikulya , Akapapa Balwila akapamenso . Who ever says NO to Mwine lubemba say no to All overs
go on deleting divergent view if you are a real democrat. The HH stooges will never win. wasting our representation
Tonga comments re all over. Our posts are being deleted. Its high time Lusaka times was blocked.
What is happening is not about UPND v PF or Tongas v Bembas. Its about the constitution and democracy!
Opposition members should be praised. They are very democratic by fighting for what is for the common good as opposed to minority selfishness. They are effectively stopping the PF from raping and defiling the constitution
What is happening is not about UPND v PF or Tongas v Bembas. Its about the constitution and democracy!
Opposition members should be praised. They are very democratic by fighting for what is for the common good as opposed to minority selfishness. They are effectively stopping the PF from raping and defiling the constitution making process. Such an important undertaking should have a clear road map!!
So why is LT not publishing our posts and deleting others. All pro tongas posts see the light of day? My contribution is as follows, I want clean water, proper housing, good roads, cheap mealie meal and decent jobs for our people first. If opposition demands are outside this and only want that paper called constitution which apparently is still valid, then we have a problem. the MPs absconding parliament should not get their pay for the month for they are thieving like their leader who stole in Luanshya.
As far as we are concerned, we the people, of Zambia have the constitution,all what these big losers are doing now is only noise. They must not get paid ,how I wish they could be fired just like they did to nurses.” We the people” (ifwe fwe bantu) we still emphasise we have a constitution….isho nsamba ,bamutunta munga we don’t know which constitution they are talking about ,may it’s for their farms…..
Well meaning Zambians, why should you let these thugs in the name of opposition MPS waste the precious time that the country need for development…? Ubuwelewele ishi mpombo..we all want to represent our people as MPS,they think they are the only ones who can be MPS…Each time they abscond they must not be paid,who are they representing? which constitution are they making noise about? You are just a bunch of power hungry perpetual losers ,as far as we are concerned our great Zambia has a constitution which we are using to govern ourselves, don’t listen to those criminals stealing government money sleeping in Lusaka hotels, building themselves mansions leaving my grand parents and chiefs sleeping like freedom fighters….fire them.
@chabwera sr
The things you need are the basic needs of every Zambian. But you seem not to have considered the fact that for any community project, there must be ground rules otherwise some people will take advantage of others within the same community (kulila a masuku pa mutwe; or kulida masuku amutwe). Even street or village football we used to set rules before playing: remember the words, “higher” “6 change goal” etc constitution is not a mere paper.
It was Maximus, that greatest of Gladiators of Rome who once said, and quote: “Hold the line, stay with me. If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled! For you are in Elysium. You are already dead anyway”. And he went on to say, “What we do in life, echoes in eternity” . Should any of the opposition MPs grow jelly feet, I want them to remember this line because the one who should sooner than later find the sun for once shining on his ugly face is the Satan, and that’s when we are bringing him down, with his Kambwilic vampires!
All the people commenting in support of the unruly opposition MPs shows a lack of maturity and sense, I say this coz the new constitution will nt reduce the price of fuel,mealie meal,bring massive employment and the like. Moreover you people shud keep in mind tht the pipo drafting the new constitution are the technical committee comprising various distinguished men and women of this country and nt the government of the PF. Think hard on this b4 u comment 4 the of being heard by the masses,which is foolishly mediocrate.
Kudos to opposition MPs, what a smart way of dealing with retards.
It is really disheartening to watch how a simple case of expected GOOD GOVERNANCE is slowly being turned into a CRISIS for no good reason whatsoever. It is only a ‘DRAFT’ for goodness sakes!
If Govt has some reservations concerning certain provisions in the draft, they will have an opportunity to put their reasons forward so they can be subjected to a vigorous debate. And those in favor will also have their chance to do the same—that’s how Democracy works or, at least, supposed to work. Not the “WE KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU ALL” sort of attitude.
What is Sata and his Govt gaining by artificially creating all this antagonism over an issue which even they themselves not too long ago felt was necessary for Zambia to progress? The HYPOCRICY is just MIND BLOWING!
To abscond questions is their democratic process am sure the speaker knows about this charter.
To guard the house using machetes and heavily armed men and women in uniform to intimidate the atmosphere is an abuse of power by someone residing at Nkwazi house
This again demonstrate that the pen is mighter than the panga and some chilli powder Mr. SA…
Constitution.
After all yo failed efforts and attempts PF did what they thought would be the best way to have a new constitution which most of you foolish opposition even objected to and now you have seen that it is workable you want to hijack seem as if it was your idea – dunderheads, SHAME ON YOU….
Faka pressure Opposition MPs, these people cannot be taking lies freely and later turn around and say more money was just but a scheme to access power; so they think is the case with the constitution or the way we want to govern ourselves. PF you are a fraud of the waste kind.
PUBLISH MY COMMENT FI LT
After all your failed efforts and attempts fi opposition, PF came up with the way they thought was the best to have a new constitution which most of you foolish opposition objected to now you have seen that it is workable you want to hijack the process and look as if it was your idea you dunderheads, SHAME ON YOU……we know were we are coming from!!!!!!
Kamimbya go to night school to be heard.