By Scoop Reporter
UNITED party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has joined the rest of the country in mourning the demise of two Patriotic Front Members of Parliament (MPs) Rodgers Mwewa and Mwenya Munkonge.
Mr. Hichilema has also called for the isolation and testing of all other MPs and National Assembly staff.
Both Mr. Mwewa, MP for Mwansabombwe Constituency and Mr. Munkonge of Lukashya Constituency died on Saturday.
In a statement this morning, Mr. Hichilema said the nation has been robbed of gallant MPs but says there rest of the MPs must be put on isolation and be tested.
“We continue to mourn the death of two gallant members of Parliament, namely Rodgers Mwewa of and Mwenya Munkonge of Lukashya constituency. No doubt the nation has been robbed of Members of Parliament who committed their lives to improve the welfare of their fellow citizens.
“I have also sadly learnt of the death of two other members of staff from the National Assembly of Zambia. I offer my condolences to the families and pray God’s comfort in these trying times.
“In view of the fact that the National Assembly of Zambia has recorded 4 deaths in a space of just two weeks coupled with the fact that 4 other members of Parliament are reported to be in isolation due to COVID-19 infection, it was wise to close the institution,” Mr. Hichilema said.
He says this action is long overdue as evidenced by the extent to which the institution has been afflicted by the pandemic.
“We call for the isolation and testing of all the MPs and staff in order to break and arrest the chains of transmissions that may extend to their families and members of the general public.
“Let me conclude by saying that in times like these, we require national unity and prayer as we heighten our public health awareness and other measures. I also call upon our citizens to take Covid-19 seriously and observe prescribed public health measures and come forward for testing. Let’s stay safe to save lives,” he said.
