QUICK action by Parliament security yesterday prevented Katombora member of Parliament (MP) Derick Livune (UPND) from charging towards and physically attacking Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda while he was winding up debate on the motion to “Increase amount outstanding at any one time on domestic and external loans”.
Some UPND MPs were infuriated by Mr Chikwanda’s remarks that the UPND has never had a leader outside Southern Province and that the Patriotic Front (PF) is the only party which has exclusivity of leadership.
This infuriated Mr Livune who stood up, removed his jacket and charged towards Mr Chikwanda but quick action by security personnel blocked him while on the other side of the House, Solwezi West MP Teddy Kansonso (UPND) also charged towards his Mufumbwe counterpart Stephen Masumba but Parliament security managed to separate the two law-makers.
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini ordered Mr Chikwanda to withdraw his statement and the minister explained himself.
And Parliament adopted the motion for the House to authorise Mr Chikwanda to increase by statutory instrument (SI) the maximum amount outstanding at any one time on external loans raised outside Zambia and payable over a period of more than one year from K60 billion to K160 billion after Dr Matibini subjected it to a vote.
The outcome was 79 MPs voting in favour of the motion while 30 voted against it.
Zambia Daily Mail
Portipher Munga
Beat Him