FIRST Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Attractor Chisangano has ruled that the committee on privileges and absences for determination will by next week Friday give recommendations on whether fugitive Petauke Member of Parliament (MP) Emmanuel Banda is still an MP or not.
This came to light after UPND Katombora MP Clement Andeleki raised a point of order last month to ascertain whether his counterpart was still an MP following Banda’s escape from Chipata Central Hospital on June 20, 2024.
Yesterday, Chisangano ruled that the matter in which JJ has not been in the house for more than four consecutive sittings stands referred to the committee on privileges and absences for determination.
In her ruling, the deputy Speaker stated that the fugitive law maker’s absence from the house since his disappearance from custody has not come with a valid reason.
“In this vein, standing order 2231 of the National Assembly of Zambia, standing orders for 2024 on a member’s failure to attend sittings, provides that number 2231, if during a session, a member of parliament is absent for four or more consecutive sittings of the assembly without permission in writing from the government chief whip or the speaker, the matter shall stand referred to the committee on privileges and absences for hearing and determination.”
“Honourable members, it is evident that following Mr Jay E Banda MP’s arrest and detention…the reason for the member’s absence from the house was known. However, from the date of his escape from lawful custody, there’s no valid reason for his continued absence from the house,” stated Chisangano.
Meanwhile, in a matter where Pambashe MP Ronald Chitotela together with his Kawambwa counterpart Nickson Chilanga have been convicted on criminal charges, the First Deputy Speaker failed to address the matter stating that it could not be re-tabled since it had already been decided.
The matter was previously raised in the House in July this year, when Andeleki inquired on the status of the two MPs after their convictions.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, November 6, 2024
