Zambia minister banned from House for slapping MP

Zambia’s parliament has suspended a Cabinet minister from its proceedings for one month for slapping a lawmaker.

The House Speaker ordered that Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo be barred from the House for one month following the incident that involved MP Chishimba Kambwili.

Mr. Lusambo will also not be entitled to any allowances, National Assembly Speaker Patrick Matibini said on Tuesday.

Verbal abuse is common among Zambia MPs but physical assault is rare.

Mr. Kambwili reported the incident last year and narrated how his counterpart slapped him twice because of accusations he made against the government.

Mr. Kambwili had repeatedly accused government officials of corruption after his dismissal as Information and Broadcasting minister in 2016 but the State has repeatedly denied the allegations.