Seventeen Zambian opposition MPs have been suspended from parliament for 30 days, following a disruption of the House session last week.

The lawmakers defied orders to leave the plenary after they accused the Speaker of denying them an opportunity to speak.

While suspending them on Tuesday, Speaker Nelly Mutti described the MPs’ behaviour as unparliamentary and a breach of the House’s decorum and integrity.

Ms Mutti said that lawlessness should not be confused with freedom of expression and defying the Speaker amounted to an assault on Zambia’s constitutional democracy.

MP Brian Mundubile, the leader of the opposition in parliament, was among those suspended.

The MPs claim the ruling party wants to push for some constitutional changes in their absence.

A section of opposition MPs have reportedly submitted a petition for the removal of the Speaker for alleged mismanagement of parliamentary affairs.

Source:BBC