At the same time, the Speaker announced that Chanda Katotobwe has resigned as Member of Parliament for Luapula in order to contest the August presidential election and will no longer participate in parliamentary business.
The ruling followed three separate points of order raised concerning alleged defections by several MPs in violation of Article 72 of the Constitution.
The first point of order was raised by George Chisanga on April 8 regarding allegations that Michael Katambo, Joel Chibuye, Sydney Mushanga, Sunday Chanda, Marjory Nakaponda and Leevan Chibombwe had crossed from the opposition to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
Another point of order was raised by Clement Andeleki concerning allegations that Brian Mundubile, George Chisanga and Stephen Kampyongo had joined the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD).
A third point of order was raised by Binwell Mpundu regarding allegations that Second Deputy Speaker Moses Moyo, who was elected as an independent MP for Luangeni, had joined the UPND.
Mutti said the Office of the Clerk wrote to all the affected MPs to allow them to respond to the allegations in line with parliamentary procedures and principles of natural justice.
According to the Speaker, the six MPs accused of defecting to the UPND denied the allegations, maintaining that they had only expressed interest in joining the ruling party.
“They stated that they merely expressed interest to join the UPND. Mr Chanda went further in his response to indicate that in his statement dated March 22, he expressed his intention to join the UPND immediately after the dissolution of Parliament and was, therefore, still a member of the Patriotic Front,” Mutti said.
She ruled that the six MPs were therefore free to continue performing their parliamentary duties.
Mutti also stated that the three MPs alleged to have joined the FDD did not respond to the Office of the Clerk, while no response had been received from Moses Moyo.
She concluded that the allegations lacked sufficient evidence and ruled that the affected MPs would continue serving in Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Speaker disclosed that her office received correspondence dated April 29, 2026, from Katotobwe resigning from Parliament after accepting adoption as presidential candidate for the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) ahead of the August 13 general election.
She added that confirmation was later received from Katotobwe’s lawyers, J&M Advocates, verifying that the resignation letter had been duly signed.
“His letter of resignation and confirmation by his lawyers give me sufficient basis upon which to act. In this regard, necessary steps have been taken to ensure that Mr Katotobwe does not participate in the conduct of the business of the House for the remainder of this meeting,” Mutti said.
Chanda Katotobwe has resigned as Member of Parliament for Luapula???????????