Maravi

PF MPs protest against Mpombo being leader of govt business in the House

PF MPs protest against Mpombo being leader of govt business in the House
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 8:42:46 AM

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) members of parliament yesterday walked out of the House after Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwambwa ruled that there was nothing improper in appointing George Mpombo as leader of government business.

The PF parliamentarians led by party vice-president Guy Scott walked out of the chamber at 14:49 hours after the ruling by Speaker Mwanamwambwa that the current Cabinet and any other person holding position before election would continue until the appointing authority deems otherwise.

When deliberations resumed in Parliament, Speaker Mwanamwambwa announced that he had received communication from the government that defence minister Mpombo had been appointed leader of government business in the House.

After the announcement, Mpombo moved from his usual seat to occupy the Vice-President's seat amid shouts especially from the MMD.

But during the question for oral answer session Scott stood on a point of order and asked Speaker Mwanamwambwa why Mpombo had been appointed acting leader of government business when the country had no vice-president.

"I am standing on a serious point of order bordering on constitutionalism, " Scott said. "We have heard that Honourable Mpombo has been appointed to act as leader of government business in the House but to act for who? To act for a non-existent person?"

Scott also questioned the presence of nominated members of parliament in the House when the new Cabinet had not yet been appointed.

"We don't want as PF to be part of an improper proceeding," Scott said.

In his ruling on the matter, Speaker Mwanamwambwa said the country on October 30 elected a Republican President.

"Please note that Cabinet was not dissolved, there was the acting President, who you all know, who was carrying out the functions of head of state," Speaker Mwanamwambwa said. "Cabinet following the October 30 elections continues until the current head of state so wishes. Please also note that where you have proper systems in place, government or the Executive continues irrespective of the vacancy that may exist in that particular Executive. Though it may not be visible to your eyes, the position of leader of government business does exist and continues as notified."

Speaker Mwanamwambwa said the position of leader of government business could not only be held by the Vice-President.

Speaker Mwanamwambwa said any senior minister could also be a leader of government business in the House.

"Since Parliament wasn't dissolved and you didn't go for any parliamentary election, all your positions continue as they were before including those held by nominated members of parliament until the appointing authority decides," Speaker Mwanamwambwa said.

As soon as the ruling was made, Scott walked out and he was followed by Jean Kapata [Mandevu], Mark Mushili [Ndola Central], Chishimba Kambwili [Roan], Wilber Simuusa [Nchanga], and Mwansa Kapeya [Mpika Central] among others.

And in an interview later, PF chief whip Yamfwa Mukanga said his party did not want to be part of unconstitutional proceedings.

"The people that are seated there are not supposed to be holding their positions," Mukanga who is also Kantanshi member of parliament said.

But Mpombo said the walk-out by PF members of parliament was uncalled for and he described it as poor interpretation of the law.

Labels: AMUSA MWANAMWAMBA, GEORGE MPOMBO, GUY SCOTT, PF

posted by MrK @ 8:44 AM