Munir get 30 days suspension over offensive language

LUMEZI Member of Parliament (MP), Munir Zulu has once again been suspended from parliament and this time around for 30 days over the use of offensive language.

Mr. Zulu was in July this year suspended for 10 days for gross misconduct and disrespecting the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti.

Moombe MP, Fred Chaatila complained on October 5, 2022 that Mr. Zulu used unprintable and unparliamentarily language when he was winding up debate on the motion to abolish the office of the district commissioners.

Based on the vote in the house, it was resolved that Mr. Zulu be suspended from parliament for 30 days running from October 7, 2022 to November 5, 2022.

In passing the ruling, Ms Mutti said the house was displeased with Mr. Zulu’s conduct of using obscene, insulting and demeaning language on the floor of the house.

But Mr. Zulu described the ruling as petty, vindictive and unprecedented because he was not given an opportunity to be heard by the privileges committee as per procedure .

Mr. Zulu said he would go to court to challenge the Speakers’ ruling which he said was meant to silence him because the Speaker announced the date of the ruling before he received a letter of complaint.

“Remember when the Speaker was delivering ruling on a point of order raised by Chama South MP, Davison Ng’andu concerning Mary Chirwa’s story, the Speaker used the word fondling. Which one is more of an insult between fondling and the word pubic,” he said.

Ms. Mutti ruled that as a honorable member of the house, Mr. Zulu should conduct himself with dignity because parliament was a house of honor, decorum and dignity which should be protect and reserved at all times.

“I wish to reiterate that I will not tolerance gross indiscipline and misconduct from you “Munir Zulu” or any other member,” she said.

Ms. Mutti further ruled that Mr. Zulu would not be paid a salary or an allowance he is entitled to as a member of the national assembly during his suspension.

She further stated that Mr. Zulu would not be allowed to participate in any business and activities of the house and the committee to which he is assigned in his capacity as member of the national assembly.