MINISTER SUSPENDED FOR SLAPPING LAWMAKER DURING PLENARYsource : http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/03/minister-suspended-for-slapping.html Zambia’s parliament suspended a cabinet minister on Tuesday from its proceedings for one month for slapping a fellow lawmaker within parliament grounds.Verbal abuse is common among members of parliament in Zambia but physical assault is rare.Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Matibini, said Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was suspended for slapping outspoken lawmaker Chishimba Kambwili in October 2017.Kambwili has repeatedly accused government officials of corruption since his dismissal as information and broadcasting minister in November 2016 but the state denies the allegations.Kambwili complained after the incident that Lusambo had slapped him twice after accusing Kambwili of making false accusations against the government.Matibini said Lusambo was banned from entering parliament grounds and using its facilities during the period of suspension and would not be entitled to any allowances. Verbal abuse is common among members of parliament in Zambia but physical assault is rare. Bowman Lusambo reportedly visited the hostile act on an outspoken lawmaker Chishimba Kambwili last year which leadership of the legislative body thought was not only embarrassing, but also disrespectful to the house and brings its name into disrepute. Kambwili has repeatedly accused government officials of corruption since his dismissal as information and broadcasting minister in November 2016 but the state denies the allegations. Kambwili complained after the incident that Lusambo had slapped him twice after accusing Kambwili of making false accusations against the government. The suspension bars Lusambo from accessing the physical premises of parliament and denies him allowances and salary as a member of parliament for the month in question.
Zambian Minister Bowman Lusambo is suspended by Parliament over an assault on a fellow lawmaker in October 2017.