Zambia’s parliament suspended a cabinet minister on Tuesday from its proceedings for one month. The minister had allegedly slapped a lawmaker within the parliament grounds. Verbal abuse is common among members of parliament in Zambia, but physical assault is rare. Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Matibini, said Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, was suspended for slapping outspoken lawmaker Chishimba Kambwili in October 2017. Matibini said Lusambo was banned from entering parliament grounds and using its facilities during the period of suspension and would not be entitled to any allowances.

Source: Punch March 20, 2018 15:33 UTC