LEAVE CHISENGA OUT OF ‘CIRCUS’

ZAMBIANS pride themselves at having maintained a thriving democracy since the country’s independence with Parliament playing a pivotal role.

Even during the dark days of the one-party state under President Kenneth Kaunda, members of parliament stood tall and ensured that they debated freely and took the government to task over its shortcomings. Credit could also be given to the presiding officers

- notably the late Robinson Nabulyato - who, despite the country being a one-party state allowed for free debate among MPs, often to the annoyance of the front bench.

It is sad that the current parliament has lost public confidence as the presiding officers, led by Speaker

Nelly Mutti, have systematically curtailed debate particularly from the opposition ranks – Patriotic Front.

Any debate critical of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is regularly stifled such

that MPs are often left in a lurch, not knowing what is safe to debate and what is acceptable.

Against this background, PF Mambilima MP Jean Chisenga has aroused the public’s interest in national affairs with her public displeasure over President Hakainde Hichilema’s address to Parliament last week.

President Hichilema spoke about the growing democracy, respect for the rule of law as well as economic strides.

But undaunted, Ms Chisenga heckled at the President as he was leaving the Chamber that “Mwachilamo ubufi (you are such a liar)” over a litany of unfulfilled

electoral promises as well as the selective political prosecution in the fight against corruption.

We are however surprised that what is supposed be an acceptable practice in a thriving democracy, Ms Chisenga faces censure over her conduct. Parliament has finally demanded that Ms Chisenga

should exculpate herself for describing President

Hichilema as a liar.

Clerk of the National Assembly Cecilia Mambwe has asked Ms Chisenga to explain why on March 15, 2024 while in Parliament shouted and branding the head of State a liar. According to the letter, her office had received a

complaint against the Mambilima lawmaker from Mr Emmanuel Banda, the Muchinga MP over her conduct.

In this vein, we agree with Laura Miti, the Human Rights Commission commissioner who says Parliament has become a circus because presiding officers have been competing to please the powers

that-be, stating that such conduct was not good for any President or leader.

Ms Miti said attempts to punish and silence Ms Chisenga was an attempt by the Parliamentary administration to raise issues that had no impact on the lives of the people and the nation

“They should leave the public to reach its own conclusions on how MPs behave. This unfortunately smells of tyranny and, sorry but it has to be said, sycophancy. I keep saying that Presidents have to be big boys. They do not need someone running to soothe every knee scraped,” Ms Miti said.

Ms Chisenga has been given up to Monday, March 25, 2024 to exculpate herself.

But Zambians already know her fate as experience has shown about those MPs who have crossed swords with the presiding officers.

It should not be unparliamentary to heckle a President that warrants suspension, Ms Chisenga should be left alone. Zambians are waiting to see whether the circus continues in parliamentary.