The government has stated that there will be no by-elections for the Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament who were expelled by the Given Lubinda-led faction for supporting Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7. Chief Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa insisted that the expulsions have no legal basis.
Mweetwa, who is also Minister of Information and Media, explained that MPs who voted in favor of Bill 7 cannot lose their seats simply because their party is dissatisfied with their decision. He emphasized that when MPs are debating and voting in Parliament, they are protected by the Constitution and the law, and no political party has the authority to punish them for how they vote.
He pointed out that Parliament operates under the Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities Act, which guarantees MPs the freedom to speak and vote without fear of intimidation or retribution.
Mweetwa noted that while political parties are important, their constitutions are subordinate to the national Constitution, which is the supreme law of Zambia. He described the PF’s expulsions as “political drama” with no legal consequences, affirming that the affected MPs remain Members of Parliament.
“We are a government of laws, not a government of men and women,” Mweetwa said.
Speaking on Sunday Interview, the minister also dismissed claims that the government was interfering in PF internal affairs, stating that his role was simply to explain the law to the public.
On the matter of Bill 7, Mweetwa said the parliamentary debate is now concluded, as all MPs present voted in favor of the constitutional amendments and the President has since assented to the bill, making it law.
He added that President Hakainde Hichilema has directed all MPs to return to their constituencies and explain the amendments to citizens in clear and simple language.
Government interfering with Legislature. A very Common feature of Mweetwa’s portfolio. Is he an MP by the way?