EFF demands resignation of Speaker Mutti over alleged appointment as Board Chairperson

The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on the Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti to resign for breaching the Constitution by participating in private companies.

EFF leader, Kasonde Mwenda, claimed the party had established that Mutti had been appointed as Board Chairperson of the newly established Zambian energy company called GEI Power Limited.

Mwenda in a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday said Article 75(1)(b), of the Zambian Constitution prohibited the Speaker from participating in private companies.

He said the amendment, however, had been changed under the current constitution, leaving room for potential abuse of authority, which was currently being experienced by the Speaker under the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration.

“Mutti had blatantly violated the law hence the call for immediate constitutional changes to prevent abuse of authority and ensure transparency and accountability in the government,” Mwenda said.

He said the appointment of Mutti as GEI Power Limited Board Chairperson raises serious concerns about favoritism and abuse of authority, as the company was already engaging in a significant number of contracts and projects.

Mwenda said such actions undermined the principles and integrity that should be maintained by the Speaker of the National Assembly.

“The EFF strongly condemns this violation of Zambian laws.
We call on the government to include provisions in the existing constitution that address this issue and prevent future abuses of power,” he said.

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Kasonde also demanded that the Standing Orders of the National Assembly be amended to explicitly condemn such actions and ensure the impartiality and integrity of the Speaker.

He added that it was alarming to discover that GEI Power was involved in numerous projects, particularly in the Southern Province, with the major electricity offtaker being the government agency ZESCO.

“Transparency, accountability, and integrity are the cornerstones of our democratic system, and any violation of these principles must be swiftly addressed,” Kasonde said.

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