News / National
Speaker of parly warns legislators against misconduct
07 Nov 2013 at 18:59hrs | Views
NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda yesterday issued a stern warning to legislators over their conduct and threatened to invoke relevant Standing Orders to maintain discipline in the House.
In his warning at the beginning of business yesterday, Mudenda said he had noticed unbecoming conduct from some parliamentarians which included improper dressing and disrespect towards the Chair.
"I have noted the reluctance or refusal by MPs to observe customs, rules and decorum precedence of the Speaker or other persons presiding," he said.
Mudenda said some legislators were breaching Standing Orders 46(i) and Standing Orders (46ii) of the House which provide the expected conduct of parliamentarians.
"According to the Standing Orders, every member shall appear in attire depicting dignity to the House and shall make obeisance (bow) to the chair in passing to and from or sitting and upon entering the chamber," said Mudenda.
He said he had taken time to inform the members of Parliament's Standing Rules and Orders Committee that they should be guided accordingly in their future conduct.
"I am explaining these so that members are guided accordingly and I ask that they be guided accordingly," Mudenda said. "Already, I have noticed that on various occasions as the presiding officer was leaving one member announced that the Speaker had left the chair.
"We respect the Chair and not the person of the Speaker and so as the procession proceeds, it is proper in terms of the Standing Orders that silence be maintained until the Speaker or Chairperson is outside the chamber.
"Of those who have been identified, they know themselves, we don't want them to face the consequences where we shall end up asking them to listen to their voices and be charged accordingly. This announcement serves as an advisory gesture as well as a warning.
"Failure to take this advice or warning may result in the Speaker invoking Standing Order 79 against such members of which he or she may be suspended from services of this House. I don't want to repeat this speech and I am sure we do not want to reach that stage."
Mudenda has insisted on discipline in the House and has also warned members that he would not hesitate to eject members who misbehave.
Bulawayo South representative Eddie Cross was recently ejected from the House after he was caught reading a novel.
Mudenda also banned the sell of alcohol in the Member's bar when Parliament is in session.
In his warning at the beginning of business yesterday, Mudenda said he had noticed unbecoming conduct from some parliamentarians which included improper dressing and disrespect towards the Chair.
"I have noted the reluctance or refusal by MPs to observe customs, rules and decorum precedence of the Speaker or other persons presiding," he said.
Mudenda said some legislators were breaching Standing Orders 46(i) and Standing Orders (46ii) of the House which provide the expected conduct of parliamentarians.
"According to the Standing Orders, every member shall appear in attire depicting dignity to the House and shall make obeisance (bow) to the chair in passing to and from or sitting and upon entering the chamber," said Mudenda.
He said he had taken time to inform the members of Parliament's Standing Rules and Orders Committee that they should be guided accordingly in their future conduct.
"We respect the Chair and not the person of the Speaker and so as the procession proceeds, it is proper in terms of the Standing Orders that silence be maintained until the Speaker or Chairperson is outside the chamber.
"Of those who have been identified, they know themselves, we don't want them to face the consequences where we shall end up asking them to listen to their voices and be charged accordingly. This announcement serves as an advisory gesture as well as a warning.
"Failure to take this advice or warning may result in the Speaker invoking Standing Order 79 against such members of which he or she may be suspended from services of this House. I don't want to repeat this speech and I am sure we do not want to reach that stage."
Mudenda has insisted on discipline in the House and has also warned members that he would not hesitate to eject members who misbehave.
Bulawayo South representative Eddie Cross was recently ejected from the House after he was caught reading a novel.
Mudenda also banned the sell of alcohol in the Member's bar when Parliament is in session.
Source - Herald
