RAPHAEL NAKACINDA & KABWE CHANDA MUST RESPECT AND COOPERATE WITH SUMMONS FROM PARLIAMENT
I read the arguments from some former leaders that they could not be summoned and appear before a Parliamentary Committee of the National Assembly which summons are issued under the Standing Orders of the National Assembly because they were no longer MPs.
This is a lazy man’s argument and sad that it is coming from a former nominated MP and minister who must have been more conversant with the operations and powers of the National Assembly of Zambia.
This is why some of our MPs need serious orientation because, if the argument coming from Nakacinda, a former MP and Minister was one to go by, then Zambia is in maningi trouble in law making, understanding, respect and adherence.
This is why the practice of appointing first-time MPs in parliament as Ministers deprive them of acquiring relevant experience, learning and knowledge in operations, workings and powers of Parliament esp with the poor reading culture among our leaders and citizenry at large.
On Kabwe, the Constitution is instructive on the role of the Public Accounts Committee under Article 63(2)(c) thus the National Assembly shall oversee the performance of executive functions by scrutinizing public expenditure, including defense, constitutional and SPECIAL EXPENDITURE
Further, National Assembly Standing Order 153 establishes the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and emphasised that chairperson of PAC SHALL NOT be a member of the political party in government
PAC and indeed any Committee of Parliament have powers to summon any persons to appear before it on behalf of the instructions of the Speaker.
PAC is mandated to examine the accounts showing the appropriations of sums granted by the Assembly to meet the Public expenditure, report of the Auditor-General on the accounts and such other accounts and so if Mr Kabwe handled public funds, he just needs to cooperate before drama erupts.
To both Mr Nakacinda and Kabwe, let them kindly cooperate with the National Assembly when summoned by the parliamentary committees as these committees have enormous powers to summon any persons, former MP or DMMU national coordinator to appear before them.
Standing Order 132 of 2016 concludes that a portfolio, General Purposes, Housekeeping and Select Committee SHALL have power to invite submissions from ANYPERSON on ANY MATTER within its terms of reference
Tomorrow I will delve into sanctions to be meted on any persons who disregards and disrespect summons from parliament.
I submit
McDonald Chipenzi