SPEAKER HAS NO POWER TO DECLARE TASILA LUNGU’S SEAT VACANT — FEIRA MP
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
Feira Member of Parliament Emmanuel Tembo has revealed that Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has no authority to declare Tasila Lungu’s Chawama Parliamentary Seat vacant.
Speaking to Sun FM TV News in an interview, Mr. Tembo argued that Parliamentary Standing Order 223, as adopted by the Standing Orders Committee in 2024, does not explicitly indicate that due to absenteeism, an MP can have their seat declared vacant.
Mr. Tembo claims it is surprising that Speaker Mutti even reserved a ruling on the matter, wondering what the verdict will be.
He said it is understandable that Ms. Tasila Lungu cannot be attending Parliamentary sittings when her father has not yet been buried.
On Tuesday, 15th July 2025, Zambezi East MP Brian Kambita issued a point of order questioning the continued absenteeism of Ms. Lungu, wondering whether the act indicates that the lawmaker does not intend to return and fulfill her duties, thereby denying the people of Chawama effective representation.
The worst first family ever in the history of our country; very scandalous lot, father, mother and children.
Interesting commentary by a member of parliament. One would have thought the MP being subordinate to the Speaker would have waited for the Boss to render the ruling before making preemptive commentary. Anywhere in organisational hierarchy this amounts to gross indispline, disrespectful and a wantonly desire to undermine the Boss. The matter at hand is similar to that of former Peatauke law maker whose seat was declared vacant by a committee of parliament and can only be varied by ( sad) extenuating circumstances of a prolonged funeral . The Feira MP needs to be censured for indispline. It’s like someone talking down a matter which is before a Court.
Exactly, before she has even rendered her decision he is challenging her authority. What is wrong with our honourable members? The caliber of MPs is honestly bringing the house into disrepute by their debate and the manner they raise issues.
The Feira mp shouldn’t display his arrogance and bad manners like that. Why can’t he give due respect to Madam speaker who’s not his level. Why preempting the ruling. Ecl funeral has turned dramatic hence not ordinary. The family is now playing politics than morning causing overstaying out than necessary. After all the family – Tasila included has shown insufficient desire to return to Zambia. That may be why the speaker reserved ruling to scrutinize the matter. Unfortunately some ordinary MP comes excitedly and overrule the Speaker !
The situation Tasila is in I think it’s so difficult you can not leave your father in the mortuary and go to attend parliament I think the speak will look at that.
This MP is definitely out of order. Consider the analogy of a case before a Court of law where the Hon. Judge reserves JUDGMENT to be delivered at a later date and we all start commenting on the outcome or powers of the Court which has juriddiction.