EVIL MACHINATIONS

IT is indeed being evil to try to remove Mr Robert Kalimi as Malole Member of Parliament on account of his physical condition and not his mental faculties.

Such moves can only mean that there is a hidden hand calling the shots, with the so-called petitioners in Malole being used as pawns.

The machinations smack of what has become the norm – “imingalato politics” – directed at weakening the former ruling Patriotic Front’s parliamentary presence.

The signs are there for all to see that the intention is to have Mr Kalimi’s seat declared vacant, thus paving way for the ruling United Party for National Development grab the seat.

Zambians are aware how the “mingalato” template has been designed using the Electoral Commission of Zambia and expelled Matero MP Miles Sampa’s PF faction.

Just what has caused all these underhand methods to have Mr Kalimi removed as Malole MP when he is just about to return to the National Assembly after a long absence following a serious road traffic accident last year?

The suspected scheme was launched in motion when some residents in Malole Constituency petitioned the Speaker of National Assembly, Ms Nelly Mutti to declare the seat vacant as the MP can no longer perform duties because of his health condition.

The petitioner’s representative, a Pastor Andrew Kabuswe said the MP has physical disability after being involved in an accident and this will make him incapable of performing legislative functions.

Pastor Kabuswe said the residents’s request is in line with Articles 70(2)(d) and 72 (2)(b) of the Zambian constitution.

He said in the absence of the MP from July, 2023 the area has been lagging behind in terms of development and other benefits.

Pastor Kabuswe does not explain however how the absence of Mr Kalimi could have slowed development in Malole.

Pastor Kabuswe should in the first place be honest with himself, whether a person’s physical condition could affect his work as an MP.

We agree with Mr Brian Mundubile, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament who has described these maneuvers to induce a by-election in Malole on grounds that Mr Kalimi, was not fit to continue carrying out his legislative duties as evil.

“As the PF, we were happy and are happy with the progress Mr Kalimi has made to recover from the terrible accident he suffered … he is 100 percent mentally fit and in a position to perform his legislative duties,” Mr Mundubile said.

He said the Malole MP was mentally sound and was able to undertake his Parliament duties while his legs were still recovering as a result of being in that condition for some months.

Mr Mundubile said to be an MP was being able to sit in Parliament representing people or to sit in parliamentary committees to provide checks and balances, sit in the chamber to legislate and defend the budget, duties which Mr Kalimi was able to do without any difficulties.

It would indeed be a sad day for Zambia when a person could be removed from parliament on account of his physical condition when his or her mental faculties were fine.

PF information and publicity chairperson Emmanuel Mwamba says it would be evil, wickedness and heartless for Speaker Mutti to declare the Malole seat vacant when Mr Kalimi was ready to resume his Parliamentary duties.

Or is politics devoid of all humanity.