Again, lawmaker Zulu suspended for 7 days for wearing traditional attire in parliament

Lumezi Independent Member of Parliament, Munir Zulu, has been suspended from Parliament for seven sitting days effective Tuesday, 27, 2024.

The suspension of Zulu followed the Speaker of National Assembly, Nelly Mutti’s decision to ban traditional attire in the National Assembly on February, 22, 2024.

On Friday, 23, 2024, Mutti stated that the suspension of Zulu was in accordance with standing orders number 209 (1) and 2.

“Before I order you to withdraw from the Assembly, let me inform you Mr. Munir Zulu that in accordance with the decision of the house, you have been suspended from the service of the Assembly for a period of Seven sitting days,” she said.

The Speaker said in accordance with section 28 (3) of the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act , Zulu would not enter the premises of Parliament and participate in any business including those in his capacity as Member of Parliament.

“You will also not recieve your allowances which you are entitled to as Member of Parliament from the National Assembly during your suspension period,” Mutti stated.

During debates in the house on Friday morning, Zulu was seen donning a traditional chitenge material on top of his suite against the Speakers directive on February, 22, 2024.

In 2022, Zulu was also slammed with a 10 days suspension after he threatened to grab the Speakers’ Mace which the Sergeant-at-Arms was holding.

The Speakers’ Mace at Sergeant-at-Arms is a symbol of the authority of The Speaker.

Zulu’s suspension from Parliament for 1O days was a result of gross misconduct, indiscipline and disrespecting the Speaker and requesting the Sergeant-at-Arms to call for more security as there would be a fist fight in Parliament.

The suspension came to light after The Speaker of the National Assembly gave a ruling against him concerning his conduct on Wednesday March 23, 2022 when the First Deputy Speaker was conducting business.

In the same year, Zulu was also slammed with a 30 days suspension for using obscene language in the House, a decision he challenged in the courts of law.

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