A Chibomo resident has petitioned the Constitutional Court asking it to declare 52 UPND seats vacant for shunning President Edgar Lungu’s State of the Nation address.

In his petition filed in court today, Richard Mumba also wants the Concourt to declare that Mazabuka UPND member of parliament Garry Nkombo and 51 of his colleagues are not eligible to re-contest their seats once declared vacant.

“The 52 members of parliament on 17th March 2017 contravened the Constitution of Zambia by breaching the prescribed Code of Conduct and Ethics of the Office of a Member of Parliament. The 52 members of parliament on the 17th March 2017 contravened the Constitution of Zambia by breaching the Oath of Office,” Mumba, through lawyers from Messrs Robson Malipenga, submitted.

“The 52 members of parliament on 17th March 2017 breached the Oath of Allegiance to the President as per Standing Order 8(3) of 2016. The 52 members of parliament on 17th March 2017 contravened the Constitution of Zambia by acts or omission of illegality staying away from the National Assembly…The 52 members of parliament, through their party Whip Garry Nkombo is quoted to have said the 52 members of parliament have the 11th Commandment that they shall not be the President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is until the court cases are determined.”

Mumba then asked the ConCourt to order that the 52 UPND members of parliament, by staying away from Parliament, they illegally abrogated the Constitution of Zambia.

He further sought a declaration that the UPND MPs were bound by the Constitution to attend Parliament to be addressed by President Lungu, saying their conduct was disrespectful to the Office of the President.