Point Of Order On Sata’s Health Fails

Speaker of national assembly Dr Patrick Matibini yesterday declined to compel the Ministry of health to issue a statement over President Michael Sata’s health because  the head of state has already made his position clear on the matter.
Ruling on a point of order raised by Katuba UPND Member of parliament Jonas Shakafuswa,who wanted to know if the government was in order to keep quiet in the wake of speculations surrounding president Sata’s health ,speaker Matibini said if Shakafuswa wanted more information on president Sata’s health,he could refer to previous editions of newspapers and update himself on what president Sata said about his health.
Earlier as Shakafuswa raised his point order,speaker Matibini guided him to avoid into irrelevant historical preambles or prefaces by keeping his question to specific issues.
“A point of order by definition should be specific and to the point .That is why why it is called a point of order,”Speaker Matibini guided Shakafuswa who continued his question:”I want to find out if the government is in order to keep quiet on the health of our beloved president.”
Shakafuswa,who served as deputy finance Minister in the Levy Mwanawasa administration ,said during the late president’s reign ,then health Minister Brian Chituwo was compelled to go  to the House and issue a statement on the president’s health following pressure from the opposition political parties.
“Is the government in order to allow speculations,where people are speculating on the capability of our beloved leader Micheal Chilufya Sata to lead this country,”asked Shakafuswa as some opposition members of parliament loudly agreed with him.
In his rulling speaker Matibini said if Dr Kasonde in his judgment deemed it fit to advise the house and the nation on the issue of president Sata’s health,he would do so at an appropriate time.”I can also take Judical notice of the statement that the president himself made on the subject,”Speaker Matibini told Shakafuswa.”you know what his [president Sata] position is…but I don’t see why I should compel him[DR kasonde].
On May 31,president Sata said at state House that Zambians have the right to know his health and he said he was fine and working.
President Sata said during the 2011 elections,there was a vicious campaign against him based on his health and he was not surprised that same people were talking about his health again.
Recently the opposition said they would push for a medical board in parliament to Examine President Sata.