10/07/2020
_…..I will not be part to creating a society in which the innocent apologize while the guilty are allowed to go scot-free_
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Choma Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa says he will not apologize for calling Republican Vice President, Inonge Wina a “liar”.
Mweetwa says he is not going to abandon his solemn promise to defend the Constitution by apologizing to Parliament for demanding for an apology from Mrs Wina for her reckless statements on the burning of markets in 2017 and the gassing of citizens across the country earlier this year.
Mrs Wina had at the height of the evil gassing scheme, now believed to have been a government operation to destabilise the nation ahead of the 2021 elections, told the nation that members of opposition parties clamouring for national control were behind the operation.
Addressing journalists at the party secretariat today, Mr Mweetwa, who was earlier in the day been asked by speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini to apologize for stating that it was shallow and shameful for Mrs Wina to allege that the “power hungry opposition thirsty for regime change are the ones behind the gassing of homes” that rocked the country recently, Mweetwa stated that such sentiments put the lives of opposition MPs at risk.
Mweetwa stated that his refusal to apologize must not be construed to be an act of impunity and arrogance but that he, as a citizen of the country was according to Article 82(2) allowed to comment on the deliberations and resolutions of Parliament.
The UPND deputy Spokesperson said the decision not apologize for his sentiments were personal and not endorsed by the party.
He argued that the continued demand from the PF for his apology when he had done nothing wrong would result in the creation of a monstrous society in which the innocent apologize while the guilty are allowed to go scot-free.
He wondered why Parliament decided to proceed with his issue on the floor of the House despite assurances that the issue won’t be on the order paper for the day.
Asked whether he was ready to face consequences for refusing to apologize for his sentiments this morning, Mweetwa said he was prepared to defend the Constitution than to continue enjoying his freedom for abrogating the Constitution.
He says he would be seeking legal advise to see how he would proceed with the issue.
He has since challenged the PF Government to tell the nation who was behind the gassing of homes that led to loss of lives and property.
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