National Assembly Muted From Commenting On Arrests Of Late Msiska’s Children

A lot of parliamentarians from opposition benches on Wednesday evening were taken by surprise when Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs told the House that no more debate on arrests of Children of former legislature for Rumphi North, late Tasoka Msiska as the matter is now in the hands of Court.

Minister of Justice, Samuel Tembenu said two children of Msiska were indeed in custody and appeared before court on Wednesday but one child is still at large.

Then Tembenu said since the case is in court, therefore standing order 14 of the House prevents the legislatures from debating on the matter.

On matters before a Court of Law, Parliamentary Standing Order 192 states that “Subject to the right of the Assembly to legislate on any matter, a matters awaiting or under adjudication in any court of record shall not be referred to in motion, debate or question from the time the case has been set down for trial or otherwise before the court, if there is a real danger of prejudice to the trial of the case.

This rule shall cease to have effect in any case when the verdict and sentence have been announced or judgment given or, in any case where notice or appeal is given, the appeal has been decided.”

But most of the opposition members looked to be annoyed that they do not have power to question the Minister of Information over the issue which is regarded political.

Again National Assembly Fail To Hear From Information Minister On Late Msiska’s Child Arrest

The legislatures in the National Assembly continues to mount pressure to hear from the Minister of Information regarding the arrests of the Child of former legislature late Tasoka Msiska.

The child is reportedly in police custody for allegedly fueling fracas that took place at dad’s burial in Rumphi last week. 

There, Minister of Information, Jappie Mhango was barred and chased away by an angry mob from attending the funeral ceremony. The rivalry follows Mhango’s win during the 2014 elections as independent candidate to oust late Msiska as parliamentarian for the constituency.

As the House resume sitting just after healthy tea break on Tuesday, Honorable Kamlepo Kalua reminded the Deputy Speaker of the impending matter that require the Minister of Information, Jappie Mhango to explanation to the House regarding the arrests of child of former legislature, late Tasoka Msiska. 

“The Minister should inform this House about the condition of these children who are still in custody” demands Kalua

However, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Esther Mcheka Chilenje reminded the legislature that the ruling on the matter was already made day before by the Speaker regarding the appropriate standing orders that must be used to bring such urgent matters in the House.

Chilenje asked the member follow standing order 14 which addresses how to bring into the House urgent matters.

On matters of Urgent Public Importance Standing Orders 14 states that “Any member may, after Question time, rise in his or her place and seek leave to move the adjournment of the Assembly for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent Public importance.

And continues that “A member who wishes to seek leave to the move the adjournment of the Assembly shall, at least one hour before the end of question time, submit to the Speaker a written notification of the matter he or she wishes to discuss.”

But the clause indicates that the Speaker may allow any request if satisfied that the matter; is definite, urgent and of public importance and may properly be raised on motion for adjournment of the assembly.

Then the house continued with questions to ministers for oral replies and the matter was never brought back even when the house resumed sitting in the afternoon.