By Peter Sinkamba

SPEAKER NELLY MUTTI SHOULD REFRAIN FROM DECISIONS THAT UNDERMINE THE JUDICIARY

Being a prominent lawyer, Speaker Nelly Mutti was alive or ought to have been alive to the 2018 decision of Constitutional Court by Judge Enock Mulembe that an elective seat is not vacant until the Concourt makes a final determination.

Despite being aware of the Concourt decision, she opted to make her own fake interpretation of the Constitution and chased away the MPs. If this is not abuse of office, then what is it?

Clearly, it can be inferred with a very high degree of certainty that the Speaker Mutti purposely did so to undermine the judiciary, particularly, the Concourt. For, as a lawyer, there is no sensible explanation she can make to justify interpretation of the Constitution by a Speaker.

Even secondary school civics pupils know too well that interpretation of the law is a preserve of the judiciary.

As the Green Party, we urge the Speaker to sober up and respect the principle of separation of powers.

We also urge her to acquaint herself with Article 5 of the Constitution. The sovereign authority of the Republic is vested in the people of Zambia. This entails that the people must be represented in the people’s assembly all the time. She should refrain from chasing the people’s representatives mischievously.