GOVERNMENT U-TURNS ON ITS IMPEACHMENT MOTION POSITION

Government has u-turned on its early position regarding the impeachment motion barely 24 hours after Justice Minister, Given Lubinda yesterday said that it is a constitutional right for the UPND to table the motion before parliament.

Addressing the media this morning, Chief Government, Dora Siliya, who was also present at yesterday’s briefing at the ministry of justice said the motion to impeach President Edgar Lungu, is misconceived and an attempt to abuse procedure of the national assembly.
Ms. Siliya says the grounds submitted to parliament to table the impeachment motion do not warrant any violation of the constitution as perceived by the opposition UPND.
She also said that the allegations leveled against President Lungu, do not contain any amount of wrongdoing. 

But UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema and his Party Alliance Partners have defended the party’s decision to move an impeachment motion against President Edgar Lungu saying it is a more civilized way to confront the alleged violation of the constitution by the head of state.
Speaking when he featured on phoenix’s let the people talk program this morning, Mr. Hichilema said the move is not an exercise in futility but meant to exercise their constitutional right.
And speaking on the same programme, MMD Faction Leader Nevers Mumba has advised those criticizing the motion to allow the opposition political party to do its job of providing checks and balances.
Meanwhile, People’s Party President Mike Mulongoti has reiterated that it is the UPND’s right to move such a motion when need arises.