THE Constitutional Court has ruled that the Speaker of the National Assembly overstepped his powers when he interpreted the law in declaring Chishimba Kambwili’s Roan seat vacant.The court noted that the function of interpreting the law and the Constitution is vested in the Judiciary. In this matter Mr Kambwili who is former Roan MP had petitioned the Constitutional Court to declare and order that Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Matibini’s declaration of his seat vacant on allegations of ‘floor crossing’ was null and void.But the Attorney General argued that in an event that the court declared the Speakers decision illegal, it would have created a serious constitutional crisis as there was already another elected Member for Roan Constituency.On February 27, 2019 Speaker Matibini declared the Roan seat vacant after a point of order by Malambo Member of Parliament Makebi Zulu.The court , however in its judgement observed that while Speaker of the National Assembly […]
Speaker overstepped his powers
