Leader of the Opposition Jack Mwiimbu says there is no punishment which his party UPND can give to its Nalikwanda member of parliament Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa and his Solwezi West counterpart Teddy Kasonso for remaining in the House when others walked out in protest against Bill 10 because the two lawmakers exercised their parliamentary privileges and immunities.
But Mwiimbu, who is also Monze Central UPND member of parliament, urged Prof Lungwangwa and Kasonso to reflect on their conduct and be on the side of the people regarding Bill 10.
“As members of parliament, we have immunities and privileges over matters that take place in the House. I have no doubt in my mind that what they have tried to do is to invoke their privileges on the House. As a party and UPND, there is nothing we can do pertaining to their conduct on the floor of the House. There is no action that we are going to take as a party pertaining to what they have done on the floor of the House because they have immunities and privileges,” said Mwiimbu.
“What I can say is that it’s never too late. Let them reflect on what they did yesterday (Tuesday) and come back to the fold and be on the side of the people of Zambia on Bill 10. If they reflect and reconsider their position, they are welcome back and they are our members of parliament. We encourage them to seriously reflect on these issues. Bill 10 is not about UPND or ourselves as members of parliament. It is about the people of Zambia.”