When Parliament turned into a boxing ring: The Mumbi Phiri vs Elizabeth Chitika showdown
For the most part, parliamentary fistfights have largely been a testosterone affair.
Male MPs such as Dawson Lupunga, Crispin Sibetta, Bowman Lusambo etc have in the past been determined to prove that debating points could also be settled with swinging fists.
Then came Friday, 13 February 2009, when Phiri (41) and Chitika (45) decided to remind everyone that political combat was not an exclusively male sport.
The two female MPs effectively declared that gender equality also applied to parliamentary brawls.
My former workmate at The Post, Ernest Chanda, witnessed the contest live, no ticket required.
Ironically, both women belonged to the Patriotic Front (PF).
But politics has always been capable of turning yesterday’s comrades into today’s sworn enemies.
At the time, Chitika had fallen into PF’s “rebel” category after she and several other MPs ignored party instructions and participated in the ruling MMD’s National Constitution Conference (NCC).
According to Chanda’s report, around 11:00 hours, the two MPs met in the corridor near Parliament’s main entrance.
What followed was not a point of order.
It was a point of impact.
Security officers, fellow MPs and anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby suddenly found themselves watching what looked less like proceedings of the National Assembly and more like an undercard bout before the main event.
Parliamentary security tried to intervene.
They discovered that separating two determined politicians is considerably harder than separating two arguing politicians.
It reportedly took nearly three minutes before they restored order.
Even after the contestants had been separated, the microphones may have been off, but the campaign speeches continued.
Chitika reportedly shouted:
“Ndekepaya aka, kalenseting’a sana.”
(“I will kill her. She is tempting me a lot.”)
Phiri fired back:
“You bi****! I don’t know why this woman hates me.”
If Parliament had introduced VAR that day, it probably wouldn’t have helped.
When the dust settled, the casualty list looked exactly as one would expect after an unscheduled parliamentary pay-per-view.
Chitika’s outfit had been torn around the neck and below the knee.
Phiri reported scratches on her back, bruises on her body and bite marks that later saw her undergo medical examination at UTH.
Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso confirmed that police had opened a file of inquiry but noted that matters inside Parliament ultimately rested with the Speaker.
In other words, even the police understood that this particular match had its own referee.
Phiri’s account
Phiri said the drama began after she asked a supplementary question to the Minister of Transport and Communications.
According to her, Chitika repeatedly insulted her from inside the Chamber.
As she walked out towards the Ministry of Youth and Sport, she quietly asked fellow MP Faustina Sinyangwe (Matero) why Chitika seemed to hate her.
She alleged Chitika replied:
“We kabwa we.”
(“You little dog.”)
Phiri said she ignored the remark.
Former MPs Yamfwa Mukanga (Kantanshi) and Davies Mwango (Kanchibiya) allegedly advised her to let it go and head home.
Unfortunately, peace negotiations lasted about as long as campaign promises after elections.
Phiri claimed Chitika suddenly charged at her.
Realising diplomacy had officially collapsed, she famously stated:
“I removed my high-heeled shoes for ease of mobility.”
She alleged Chitika scratched her, bit her, attempted to strangle her and dragged her across the lobby.
She insisted she had never fought anyone in her adult life.
Parliament, it seemed, had finally presented her with a first.
Chitika’s account
Chitika insisted the script was completely different.
She said Phiri had publicly pointed at her inside the Chamber while telling Sinyangwe that she had a problem with her.
Later, former Pambashe MP Dr Bernard Chishya reportedly asked whether there had been any earlier disagreement.
Chitika said there hadn’t been one.
She explained they had barely spoken for nearly a year following the NCC fallout
When she later approached Phiri in the lobby to ask what the problem was, she alleged Phiri immediately called her a “bitch.”
At that point, she admitted:
“I charged at her and held her by the neck.”
No parliamentary committee has ever classified that as an acceptable method of seeking clarification.
Chitika further alleged that Phiri tore her dress before falsely claiming she had been bitten.
She also accused Phiri of publicly suggesting she should undergo an HIV test because Phiri supposedly knew her HIV status, a claim she said damaged her reputation, her marriage and her standing before the nation.
She even produced six MPs as witnesses.
Parliament’s Final Judgment
After hearing witnesses and examining both complaints, the committee concluded that both MPs were guilty of:
* Fighting inside Parliament.
* Using abusive language.
* Insulting each other.
* Discussing parliamentary events with the media without the Speaker’s approval.
The committee additionally found Phiri guilty of making defamatory remarks regarding Chitika’s HIV status and attempting to commence court proceedings over a parliamentary incident without the Speaker’s authority.
The punishments reflected the committee’s findings.
*Phiri: suspended for 90 days.
*Chitika: suspended for 30 days.
Neither MP would receive salaries or allowances during suspension, nor participate in parliamentary business.
Speaker Amusa Mwanamwambwa was visibly unimpressed.
He described their behaviour as:
“Shameful, disgraceful and demeaning.”
He reminded them that Parliament already had established procedures for resolving disputes.
Apparently, exchanging punches had never been included in the Standing Orders.
He then ordered both MPs to leave the Chamber through the main door.
One suspects that was the safest route available.
Political rivalries have produced many unforgettable moments in Zambia.
Few, however, can claim to have transformed Parliament into a venue where Hansard briefly competed with highlights and where the only thing missing was a ringside commentator announcing:
“Order! Order! Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to the National Assembly Heavyweight Championship.”