PF applies for injunction against Sinyangwe

PF applies for injunction against Sinyangwe
Written by Maluba Jere
Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:49:53 AM

THE Patriotic Front (PF) has applied for an injunction to restrain Matero member of parliament Faustina Sinyangwe from claiming to be its member. PF general secretary Edward Mumbi noted in an affidavit filed in the Lusaka High Court that Sinyangwe was on January 3, 2008 charged with misconduct for referring to its president Michael Sata as a thug on December 27, 2009.

The party also wants a declaratory judgment that Sinyangwe ceased to be a PF member since her expulsion on March 15, 2008.

Mumbi stated that the party's central committee met on March 15, 2008 and resolved to expel Sinyangwe and that she had never appealed, challenged or contested the expulsion, which was communicated to her.

He stated that despite the expulsion, Sinyangwe had continued to attend meetings and other programmes in Matero Constituency purporting to be a member of parliament and member of the PF.

Mumbi also stated that in her attendance of the party meetings and the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) sittings, Sinyangwe had contradicted the party's position on several national issues when she could be entitled to her views if she was an independent member of parliament or from another party.

He added that her divergent views against the official position of the party on national issues was confusing members and undermining the stability of the party in her constituency.

Mumbi further stated that during the last presidential elections, Sinyangwe campaigned against Sata and alienated several members from the party.

And PF leader Michael Sata expressed concern over the composition of the parliamentary Standing Orders Committee despite having written to Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa over bias in the selection of members in the sessional committees.

In a letter dated January 21, 2009, Sata stated that he wrote a letter to Speaker Mwanamwambwa on January 19 over the bias in the selection of members in sessional committees.

However, he stated that on January 19, Parliament constituted members of the Standing Orders Committee without due consideration to his plea.

"The composition of the Standing Orders Committee is as follows: Hon Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President, Hon Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon Chief Whip, Mr H. I. Mwanza, Mr D. Matongo MP, Ms E. M. Imbwae MP, Mrs F. B. Sinyangwe MP," stated Sata. "Looking at the above list the Patriotic Front is not represented at all. We have seen the name of Mrs F. B. Sinyangwe, this lady is a former member of this party. The Hon Mr Speaker is fully aware of the circumstances surrounding her.

"We are fully aware that Mrs Sinyangwe is representing the Hon Mr Speaker and not any political party in Parliament. We have written to put it on record for future reference."