There is a standstill in Parliament as members of Parliament are pushing for a motion to draft a bill that protects personal property from seizure.
The motion was moved in the morning as a private members motion but the Speaker of the National Assemby Catherine Gotani Hara directed that the motion needed to go through the Business Committee so the house adjourned early to allow the Business Committee to meet.
Soon after the House resumed at 2pm, Hara announced that the Business Committee had observed that the matter of the acquisition and sale of Kanengo Bam Filling Station, the issue behind the motion, is in court therefore in the spirit of respecting separation of powers between the Legislature and Judiciary, the motion cannot be discussed.
But reacting to the announcement, Rumphi Central MP Kamlepo Kalua argued that the House has its own immunity so it cannot be restrained from discussing any issue.
Several other MPs spoke in support of Kalua but Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda echoed the Speaker’s announcement that Parliament needs to respect the court.
He also argued that the motion cannot be discussed because its not on the order paper.
The House has since adjourned again to allow the Parliamentary Secretariat to circulate a supplementary order paper which will include the motion.
