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PF awaits Speaker’s decision on Shakas expulsion

PF awaits Speaker’s decision on Shakas expulsion
Written by Patson Chilemba
Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:35:02 PM

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) will keep a watchful eye to see what Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa will do over expelled Jonas Shakafuswa and Lameck Chibombamilimo, party vice-president Guy Scott said yesterday.

Commenting on the expulsion of MMD members of parliament Shakafuswa [Katuba] and Chibombamilimo [Mpulungu] by their party national executive committee (NEC), Scott said PF expelled its members of parliament in similar circumstances as the duo was expelled from the MMD.

However, he said expelled PF parliamentarians' seats had not been declared vacant to date.

Scott said Speaker Mwanamwambwa had enough time to declare ‘rebel’ parliamentarians' seats vacant even before they challenged their expulsion in the courts of law.

"It concerns the picture of Africa that there is one set of laws for those in power and there is another for those on the opposition. We are very interested to see what he will do and what he will do about it [declaring Shakafuswa and Chimbombamilimo's seats vacant]," he said.

When asked on the grounds on which Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo were expelled, Scott said ‘rebel’ members of parliament were expelled on similar grounds of indiscipline.

He said the by-elections would even be more costly because they had been sanctioned by President Rupiah Banda himself and he would be using public funds and helicopters during the campaigns.

"It is another logic, they can do whatever they want because they are in power. They tried to undermine our party by offering jobs and other luxuries to people," he said.

Asked if PF would incorporate expelled Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo into the party, Scott said it was too early to discuss the matter.

"I'll talk to him [Shakafuswa] and see how he's feeling. Of course he is my fellow parliamentarian," said Scott.

MMD on Tuesday expelled Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo from the party for alleged indiscipline and bringing the party into ridicule.

Labels: AMUSA MWANAMWAMBA, GUY SCOTT, JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, PF

posted by MrK @ 9:35 PM