…. As Mwila gives Ng’ambi, Kampampi, and Musonda 7 days to exculpate themselves for not voting for Constitution Amendment Bill No.10 of 2019.
By Bennie Mundando
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila has given a seven-day ultimatum to three Members of Parliament from the ruling party who did not vote for the Constitution Amendment Bill 10 last week exculpate themselves for their action.
On Thursday last week, bill10 failed to pass the Second Reading stage in Parliament as MPs who voted in favour of the bill did not garner the two thirds majority threshold required.
Only 105 voted for the bill, six short of the required number and with PF MPs Elalio Musonda, MP for Kamfinsa Constituency, Frank Ng’ambi, MP for Chifubu Constituency, and Kabaso Kampampi, MP for Mwansabombwe Constituency, all failing to participate.
According to copies of letters dated November 4, 2020 addressed to the trio, Mr. Mwila wants the three rebels to exculpate themselves for their action as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against them in the wake of the defiance.
He says their action does not only go against the party constitution, but is also at variance with President Edgar Lungu’s directive that all parliamentarians from the ruling party were expected to vote for the bill.
“It has come to my attention that during the voting for the Constitution Amendment Bill No.10 of 2020, on Thursday, October 29, 2020, you decided to absent yourself from voting for the Bill.
“You are aware that His Excellency, the President had directed that all our Members of Parliament vote for the Constitution Amendment Bill No.10 of 2020 as it had progressive clauses that would have seen us uplift the lives of the underprivileged in society”, reads the letter in part.
“I find your action not to be in line with the party’s interest and in breach of Article 74, regulation 29 (d) and (i) of the party constitution. I therefore give you seven days to exculpate yourself why disciplinary action should not be taken against you,” reads the letter.
