Maravi

Masebo seeks amendments to local govt Act

Masebo seeks amendments to local govt Act
By Speedwell Mupuchi
Saturday March 03, 2007 [02:03]

LOCAL government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo is pondering taking amendments to Parliament on the local government Act for government not to recognise expulsions of councillors for political reasons. Contributing to debate on the budgetary allocations to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on Thursday in the House, Masebo said by-elections resulting from such expulsions were unnecessary costs on the national budget.

Masebo said the K6 billion allocated for by-elections in this year’s budget was too huge. She said in the case of her ministry, there were over 1,000 councillors countrywide and unnecessary by-elections could therefore not be afforded. Masebo said the opposition could also effectively contribute to the governance of the country through councillors and their elected members of parliament. “If the trend continues, us in government will think twice about the law. The question I am thinking of is whether to bring amendments to the local government Act for government not to recognise expulsions of councillors which are purely political,” Masebo said. “Why should a councillor be expelled by a political party for performing duties in accordance with the law?” Masebo said all councillors should perform according to laws made in Parliament.

“You make a law here and someone comes through the backdoor to expel someone using party provisions!” Masebo remarked amidst heckling from Patriotic Front members of parliament.” “There is no need for heckling when I am talking, let’s give honour to this House,” said Masebo, who was irritated by the heckling and catcalls. She said such kind of expulsions made councils not to be effective in their work. “May I give notice that I will bring an amendment to the local government Act and I hope that both the left and right will support me,” Masebo said.

The Patriotic Front has suspended Lusaka mayor Susan Nakazwe pending expulsion from the party for welcoming Chinese President Hu Jintao at Lusaka International Airport last month during his state visit to Zambia contrary to party instructions. But Patriotic Front Chifunabuli member of parliament Ernest Mwansa said it was dangerous to make laws just because a situation had arisen. He said such legislation would target an individual or an institution. But Masebo rose on a point of order wondering whether Mwansa was in order to insinuate that an amendment could not be made to the law as a result of a situation especially when powers of Parliament were being usurped through the backdoor.

Deputy Speaker Mutale Nalumango in her ruling said Parliament was for debates and when the proposed amendment was taken before the House, debates would go on. Mwansa then proceeded to say targeted laws had their own dangers. Namwala UDA member of parliament Major Robbie Chizhyuka also rose asking whether it was not true that a law should be targeted to sort out mischief. Mwansa said while parliament had powers to make laws, members should be mindful that they were subject to the same laws. “It’s a wrong principle to legislate against an individual,” Mwansa said.

Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili proposed amendments to the electoral Act to allow all presidential candidates to use the military helicopters to access inaccessible areas. He proposed that all political parties should disclose sources of funding. Kambwili also proposed that in view of high unemployment, the ECZ should use college and school leavers to conduct elections.

Labels: LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MAYOR

posted by MrK @ 11:21 AM