SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, has issued a directive for Chawama Member of Parliament, Tasila Lungu, to present herself to either her office or the House within 14 days after the burial of her late father, former President Edgar Lungu.
She further said it can be within 14 days of the opening of the fifth session of the 13th National Assembly.
This ruling, delivered today follows a point of order raised by Zambezi East MP, Brian Kambita, concerning Tasila’s prolonged absence from parliamentary sittings and her family’s alleged intention not to return to Zambia.
The issue stems from a submission by former First Lady Esther Lungu to the South African Pretoria High Court, where she reportedly stated that the Lungu family does not intend to return to Zambia due to alleged safety concerns.
This revelation was made amidst ongoing legal proceedings between the former first family and the government regarding the repatriation and burial of Lungu, which sparked concerns about Tasila’s continued recognition as a member of parliament.
Kambita, questioned whether the House was in order to continue recognising Tasila as an MP when her family reportedly had no intention of returning to Zambia.
The speaker stated that standing orders require members seeking absence to obtain written permission and provide for referral to the Committee on Privileges and Absences if a member is absent for four consecutive sittings without prior written permission.
Mutti acknowledged the gravity of the matter, particularly the public knowledge of former Lungu’s passing on June 5, 2025, in Pretoria, South Africa, and the ongoing court proceedings concerning his burial.
She noted that Tasila, as the deceased’s daughter, has been in South Africa with other family members, awaiting the court’s determination on the repatriation of the body.
The Speaker also highlighted ongoing negotiations between the government and the Lungu family to resolve the matter outside court.
Crucially, the Speaker confirmed that her office had received a letter from the Chawama MP requesting a leave of absence to attend to the ongoing court proceedings in South Africa regarding her father’s burial.
While expressing understanding for Tasila’s need to mourn and attend to her father’s funeral, Mutti emphasised the paramount need for the people of Chawama Constituency to be represented in the National Assembly.
Therefore, despite the tragic circumstances, she deemed it necessary to set a clear timeframe for Tasila’s return to her parliamentary duties.
“Honourable Members, the issue the point of order raises is whether a Member who is outside the country has no intention and has no intention of returning should continue to be recognised as a Member of Parliament.”
“In this regard, I direct in absentia Ms T Lungu, MP, to present herself to either my office, if the house will be on recess, or the house within 14 days after the burial of her late father, or within 14 days of the opening of the fifth session of the 13th National Assembly,” ruled the speaker.
The Speaker’s ruling clarified that the question of Tasila’s continued recognition as a Member of Parliament will be addressed at a later date, dependent on her adherence to the directive.
The nation now awaits the outcome of the court proceedings in South Africa which has been slated for August 4, 2025 and Tasila’s subsequent adherence to the speaker’s directive.
Kalemba July 25, 2026
