Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda says he has filed an application in court to vacate an injunction that was served on Parliament restraining Speaker of Parliament from recognizing some decisions by the Leader of Opposition.
In the court injunction obtained by Mangochi south west legislator Shadreck Namalomba, the Speaker is also restrained from recognising the shadow cabinet hired by Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa and the subsequent change of sitting arrangements in the opposition benches in the 193-strong House.
AG Chakaka Nyirenda
Chakaka Nyirenda said his move aims at protecting the Speaker and the independence of Parliament.
“This has nothing to do with the Leader of Opposition [Kondwani Nankhumwa] who has his own lawyers.
“My interest is to protect the Speaker so that she is not dragged into internal matters of a political party.
“That’s purely a bedroom issue for the DPP [Democratic Progressive Party] .
He said his office also wants to protect the independence of the National Assembly.
The attorney general said courts must not dictate how Parliament should conduct its business.
“We will be setting a wrong precedence. Parliament is another arm of government that should operate independently.
“It is up to Parliament to decide how to deal with the issue at hand,” he said.
Chakaka Nyirenda wondered why some people are against his move to challenge the injunction.
“By the way I am surprised that some people think I did not need to do this. I thought we were sued and we needed to respond,” he said.
Namalomba was moved from seat 25 to 100, prompting him to get the court injunction.
