Parliament dodgers face disciplinary action
DODOMA: SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mussa Azzan Zungu, on Thursday directed the Office of the Clerk to take disciplinary action, in accordance with parliamentary Standing Orders, against all Members of Parliament (MPs) who have been absent from parliamentary sittings without permission from the Speaker’s Office.
Speaking shortly after the session for MPs’ questions to the Prime Minister, Zungu expressed disappointment over the conduct of some legislators who skip parliamentary sittings, describing the practice as a violation of the House Standing Orders and a betrayal of the trust placed in them by their constituents.
He said absentee MPs fall into three main categories. The first category, according to the Speaker, consists of MPs who report to Parliament in the morning, sign the attendance register and then disappear for the rest of the day before returning in the evening to sign out. Mr Zungu said the second category involves MPs whose attendance is being recorded by fellow legislators.
“There are some MPs whose attendance is being signed for by their colleagues on our yellow attendance sheets. We know who is signing on behalf of others and we also know those being signed for. This, too, amounts to absenteeism, just like any other form of absence. We will take action against them in accordance with the Standing Orders,” he said.
The third category comprises MPs who neither appear to sign in nor arrange for others to sign on their behalf.
“These MPs are not present in Parliament at all. They are habitual absentees,” Mr Zungu said.
According to the Speaker, MPs in this category demonstrate disrespect not only to the Office of the Speaker but also to the citizens who elected them to represent their interests in Parliament.
He further revealed that some legislators had travelled abroad without obtaining permission from the Speaker’s Office, contrary to parliamentary regulations. Mr Zungu warned that the Office of the Clerk has the capacity to establish the whereabouts of MPs regardless of whether their mobile phones are switched on or off.
“Such conduct is disrespectful to the Speaker and to the citizens who elected them to represent their interests in the Parliament,” he said. He added: “I do not understand how these MPs are able to travel abroad without obtaining permission from the Speaker’s Office.” The Speaker also called on the Chief Government Whip, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, to address the matter, noting that ensuring MPs attend parliamentary sittings falls within his responsibilities.
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In addition, Mr Zungu urged Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba to ensure ministers and deputy ministers attend parliamentary proceedings as required, saying it reflects poorly on the government when both the minister and deputy minister responsible for a particular docket are absent from the House.
“We understand that ministers are sometimes granted special permission to travel, but it does not look good when both the minister and the deputy minister are unavailable. At least one of them must be present to listen to and respond to the concerns of the people,” he said.
Earlier, Speaker Zungu directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to issue letters to all MPs who recently travelled to Morocco without obtaining permission from the Speaker’s Office while accompanying the national Under-17 football team, Serengeti Boys, during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
“I direct the Clerk to write to all MPs who travelled without permission from the Speaker’s Office, requiring them to explain themselves and submit their responses within four days. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action,” he said.
Mr Zungu stressed that parliamentary procedures and regulations must be observed at all times. “Let it be clearly understood that, regardless of any good intentions, parliamentary procedures and regulations must be followed,” he said.
