Crime Tainted and Convicted MPs Should Resign—Mufumbwe Deserves Better Representation

Kabimba’s interest in Kasama Central at the expense of Mufumbwe

Recently the PF secretary general was in Kasama where he is purported to have been spreading word that the people of Kasama Central should prepare for a by-election. It is not clear whether he implied a parliamentary by-election, ward or indeed a presidential by-election. What is surprising is that within his party, Mr. Kabimba, who is also the Minister of Justice, is deliberately ignoring the people of Mufumbwe whose MP, Steven Masumba is a convicted felon by a competent judge and court and ought to be serving a one year sentence in prison with hard labour for criminal offences.

Surely, Mr. Kabimba would do well to bring sanity to the PF by ensuring that proper representation is given to his constituency, and that parliament is made up of sober minded, crime free MPs. His focus on Kasama Central whose people seem to be well represented is strange, when the people of Mufumbwe, his party’s seat, are without voice in parliament.

Usually, an ordinary citizen does not have the right to cast his vote if he is in prison or in police custody on some charges. And a government employee, and even private sector employee found guilty of an offence of the magnitude of Steven Masumba’s forgery case would lose his job. But for an MP, one that belongs to the group that produces hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in check, to hold his constituency under siege on the basis of an appeal is not only unfair to the people of Mufumbwe but also a rotten ideal of governance that the PF is tolerating. This clearly shows the need for a new and better constitution which would not be held hostage by criminals, especially convicted criminal MPs who ought to be behind bars, but instead are living the highlife around the corridors of power, to the delight of our leaders?

Masumba’s refusal to step down

We respect, albeit regrettably so, Mr. Masumba’s refusal to step down as MP even after he has been convicted of criminal offences by a legitimate and competent court headed by a competent judge, even when all evidence as presented points to him deservedly so serving one year in prison with hard labour, and thus relieve the people of Mufumbwe of ill representation, and make way for PF’s proper governance of the nation. We surely do believe and support his right to appeal, but that he cannot potently function as an MP leaves the people of Mufumbwe without a leader. As far as we are concerned, the MP for Mufumbwe is a prisoner on appeal.
[pullquote] a convicted member to continue would be derogatory not merely to the dignity of the House of Parliament but also derogatory to the good sense and wisdom of the people who elected them as members of Parliament[/pullquote]
While we all play the blame game, it is sad that Convict Masumba continues to blame others instead of taking responsibility himself for his own actions of forgery. It is surely morally wrong for someone convicted of such a felony to hold onto and hope to return to Parliament. We would all be pleased if he is gone, and that will bring sanity to the making of laws in our country, and also give the PF an opportunity to have a more mature member of parliament in place of the convicted felon and dance fever enthusiast.

Mufumbwe attests to inadequacies in the constitition

A sober constitution ought to allow voters adequate and competent representation. Currently, the case of Mufumbwe attest to the inadequacies of our constitution, which is unfair to our people. We, the people, ought to have the right to better and just representation in parliament, and ought to have the right to call for the resignation of any member of parliament that is convicted in a criminal court. Surely, in their own volition convicted MPs must resign their seat even in the case of an appeal during which they cannot effectively function in their roles. Members convicted should have all honours and titles removed. There is nothing honorary about being a convict and holding onto to the corridors of power. This should be written into law. This requires a new constitution!

But then, if it is true from the word going round in the media that in addition to forging documents, while serving as North-Western Provincial Minister, Mr. Masumba abused his authority by dipping his hands into government money by withdrawing K100million (unrebased) and threw a party for himself and his supporters after winning the by-election, this is heavily unfortunate to our governance system. There is need for serious accountability. There is need for the ACC to investigate this matter and make the nation aware of such governance irregularities and abuse of power. If we cannot account morally, atleast we should demand financial accountability.

How does the PF, His Excellency tolerate such plunder in his government? Most of our people would live on less than K10, 000 a year, but to allow a convict, a felon, access to K100million for a one evening party in country that relies on borrowed funds is a shame. It is a disgrace. It stinks. It is pungently hypocritical! We need the K100million to be accounted for! That money is for the people of Mufumbwe, and they deserve better!

Let me conclude that allowing a convicted member to continue would be derogatory not merely to the dignity of the House of Parliament but also derogatory to the good sense and wisdom of the people who elected them as members of Parliament. Furthermore, it would reflect badly on the party on which such convicts stood.
By Hjoe Moono