DPP SIYUNYI RATIFIED, PRESIDENT LUNGU KEEPS HIDING THE MUTEMBO NCHITO TRIBUNAL REPORT – Chilufya Tayali

1. Ministry Statement from Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya who took the questions from other members with so much confidence. The woman was on fire in her debate.

2. The Vice President took some questions and apologized for the police brutality against Komboni Radio director who was beaten by Police. The statement was very humbling coming from the Veep.

Garry Nkombo also came in to appreciate the veep for her apology.

3. A Bill relating to Patenting was read for the first time by Minister of Commerce, Margret Mwanakatwe (I wonder if she has paid back the loan she got from CEEC).

4. The DPP, Fulata Lillian Shawa Siyunyi was ratified though, Catherine Namugala sitting as speaker curtailed Hon. Keith Mukata when he touched on the report of the Mutembo Nchito Tribunal.

Personally, I thought the Namungala was out of order to curtail the debate of Keith Mukata on the report because asking for the report was very relevant as the house debated the ratification of a new DPP.

Nonetheless, you may have to understand the background of these people to make sense of of their decisions.

Catherine Namugala, was in MMD and one of the close associates of RB. Mutembo Nchito aggressively pursued by RB in corruption cases especially one relating to oil deal from Nigeria where money was paid but no oil came to Zambia.

Given Lubinda also came in to contribute in the debate and concluded by saying nothing, but in many words, on the tribunal report which has not been released.

Given Lubinda, said the issue of the DPP has been full dealt with, and I wonder how that answers a question of the release of the tribunal report on Mutembo.

I hope this report will be released soon so that, as Mukata said, we close the chapter.

I will come back on this issue to give you more details on the new DPP. I have no problem with her, by the way, but I will dedicate an article specifically on her and the office of the DPP.

Next week Parliament will look at the approval of new ministries and other Govt departments. I hope I will have sometime to give some comments on that.

For today, I would like to thanks Hon. Keith Mukata for bringing the issue of the Tribunal report and I express disappointment to Namugala and Given for covering President Lungu for hiding the report in State House.

Generally I think the PF seems to be in a comfort zone in parliament because the opposition are allowing them to get way with important issues by simply accepting answers like “come and see me at my office for more information” This should not be accepted because, Parliament is there to check the Executive so answers should be provided on for the public. That is why we have Parliament radio which is doing very well to make us follow debates.

Otherwise, well done to all MPs.

Chilufya Tayali