DISSOLVE USELESS PARLIAMENT
…It has lost its mandate to represent the people – Kalaba
By George Zulu
CITIZENS First (CF) president Harry Kalaba says Parliament has lost its constitutional mandate and President Hakainde Hichilema must therefore dissolve it to avoid committing more illegalities.
And Leadership Movement (LM) president Dr Richard Silumbe has warned Zambians not to trust members of Parliament (MPs) who have defected to the United Party for National Development (UPND) but are still holding on to their seats.
In an interview with The Mast yesterday, Kalaba said the only thing to save Zambia at the moment was the dissolution of Parliament.
“Fellow Zambians, our Parliament’s constitutional mandate is now in serious question. It no longer speaks for you. MPs elected under your mandate have crossed to the ruling party without asking you,” he said.
Kalaba said what was shocking was the fact that even the deputy speaker Moses Moyo had defected without seeking guidance from the electorate in Luangeni Constituency while still holding on to the position and presiding over the business of the House.
“Even the deputy speaker did it. This undermines your vote. The Constitution is clear. Article 72, article 2c, if any MP joins another party, they must vacate their seat. It is the law. But the Speaker has not acted,” he said.
Kalaba said the conduct of Parliament and its officers was troubling as it seemingly supported illegalities instead of protecting and defending the Constitution.
“This fails the oath to uphold the Constitution. We now have a Parliament whose authority is compromised. Yet this House wants to pass 21 bills, including the Electoral Process Bill 2026,” Kalaba said.
He said the current Parliament, which would be dissolved in the next few weeks, lacked the moral authority to continue making laws.
“This Parliament lacks the moral authority to make laws for you. The ruling party had 85 MPs in 2021. Today, with defectors, they control 132. That is not your mandate. President Hichilema, you swore to defend the Constitution. Use Article 92,” he said.
Kalaba called for fresh elections for the country to return to the people’s power.
“Dissolve Parliament now. Return power to the people. Democracy must be aimed. The people are sovereign,” Kalaba said.
And Leadership Movement (LM) president Dr Richard Silumbe has warned Zambians not to trust members of Parliament (MPs) who have defected to the United Party for National Development (UPND) but are still holding on to their seats.
Dr Silumbe urged Zambians to carefully watch MPs who had defected few weeks before the dissolution of Parliament.
He said those who were defecting now should not be trusted as they were behind the rot in government.
“These are not worth the Zambians’ vote. They have betrayed the people’s trust. They have defected but continue reporting to Parliament. This is how rotten this Parliament has become. It allows illegalities,” Dr Silumbe said.
He said those abrogating the Constitution on behalf of their masters would be made to account for their actions today.
Dr Silumbe warned that MPs who were still drawing salaries, allowances and other privileges from government when they had defected would be made to answer for their conduct soon.
“This is a mafia regime where the rule of law only becomes effective towards their opponents. It is them or nobody. But I want to warn them that what they are doing today will soon haunt them and they should not cry that it is witch haunt,” he said.
Dr Silumbe said he was not worried about Hichilema because he would be retired in August.
“I am not worried. In fact, Zambians have told us that Hichilema is going whether he likes it or not. Zambians have told us that the August election is for freedom. It is about revolution to real change. So, all those participating in these illegalities must be worried. I wish to humbly advise them to respect the law,” he said.
