Minister of Justice Given Lubinda yesterday mocked a fake resignation letter that was circulated on social media saying that he had resigned from his Ministerial position .

When Parliament resumed yesterday afternoon, Hon Lubinda caused drama when he was spotted seated at the back bench.

This prompted a point-of order that was raised by Chembe Member of Parliament, Hon Sebastian Kopulande, who wanted the Speaker the House to inform them why Hon. Lubinda was seated at the back bench.

In his ruling, the Speaker stated that he is quick to implement such decision especially regarding sitting arrangements.

When the audio of the exchange with the Speaker went viral, it caused more confusion as he seemed to confirm the assertions that Hon. Lubinda had resigned especially that a fake letter circulated last night on social media, purporting to show his resignation.

Parliament is in Session and Hon Lubinda has since returned to his seat at the Front Bench.

A member of Parliament explained what happened.

“When we entered Parliament, Hon. Lubinda said he was going to sit in the backbench to tease those who fabricated that letter about his resignation.”

“When Hon. Kopulande was raising a point of order Hon. Lubinda sat in the backbench, while Hon. Kopulande was on the floor Hon. Lubinda moved and sat next to Hon. Kopulande (still in the backbench).”

“By the time the Speaker was passing his rulling, Hon. Lubinda had moved back to his ministerial seat”

President Edgar Lungu is today expected back on the Copperbelt barely a few days after he toured the Province.

According to a notice issued by PF Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Nathan Chanda, President Lungu will be in Kitwe for two days.

“This notice serves to inform and invite all PF party members, sympathizers and the general public to come in numbers to welcome the Head of State in Ndola,” Mr Chanda said.

“His Excellency President of the Republic of Zambia Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu will this Friday 19th July, 2019 visit the Copperbelt Province on a two days working visit in kitwe. His Excellency President Lungu will land at the Simon Mwansa International Airport in Ndola in the afternoon 15.30hrs and proceed to Kitwe.”

He added, “All are invited to come and welcome the President to the Copperbelt.”

Some observers feels the frequent trips to the Copperbelt by President Lungu point to a panic situation that has gripped him following the party’s seemingly loss of popularity.

The Lusaka High Court has thrown out the case in which NDC former Secretary General Mwenya Musenge has dragged the party to court.

In this matter, Mr. Musenge had sought an interpretation of the NDC Constitution regarding the status of party Leader Chishimba Kambwili, Secretary General Bridget Attanga and the entire central committee.

Mr. Musenge had contended that Dr. Kambwili, Mrs Attanga and the entire central committee were illegally in court.

Judge Ruth Chibbabuka presided over the matter.

In throwing out the matter, judge Chibbabuka ruled that the matter bought by Mr. Musenge was frivolous as it lacked merit.

The judgement now means that Dr. Kambwili remains as President of the NDC including Secretary General Bridget Attanga and the entire central committe remains intact.

A fortnight ago, Mr. Musenge had dragged the party to court following his removal as NDC Secretary General.

He was claiming that Dr. Kambwili was in office legally.

Lawyer Christopher Mundia represented Dr. Kambwili and Mrs. Attanga in this matter.

Andrew Musukwa represented Mr. Musenge.

The Anti- Corruption Commission has confirmed seizing 56 units of flats belonging to a Ministry of Finance official alleged to be proceeds of crime.

“We wish to state that the Commission has been investigating allegations of possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime against a Ministry of Finance official in Lusaka,” ACC Spokesman Timothy Moono said.

Mr Moono said investigations established that 48 flats were acquired by the suspect in Chalala area, off Shantumbu road, Lusaka.

“Of the 48 units, 30 (Thirty) are complete and 18 (Eighteen) are incomplete. In addition 13 bare plots were also seized.”

Mr Moono said the properties have since been forfeited to the State pursuant to the Anti- Corruption Commission (Disposal of Recovered Property) Regulations.

Justice Minister Given Lubinda has expressed concern over some debates targeting personalities instead of contents of the constitutional amendment bill.

Mr. Lubinda says some people are personalizing the constitutional bill to the President and himself as Justice Minister.

He has told ZNBC News in an interview that the proposed amendments emanated from the National Dialogue Forum which was a Democratic process consisting of more than four hundred delegates.

In an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka today, the Justice Minister has pointed out that President Edgar Lungu did not participate in the NDF and that as Justice Minister he only concentrated on procedural matters.

He said nothing in the constitutional amendment bill should be attributed to any individual and that the dialogue forum is a democratic process.

Mr. Lubinda said the Patriotic Front -PF- has already indicated that there are some provisions of the constitution amendment bill that they do not agree with.

He said he hopes other political, professional and faith groupings in the country can study the proposed bill and raise issues which they can present to parliament as the process is still open.