Tasila Lungu Faces 10-Day Deadline to Return to Parliament or Risk Losing Chawama Seat

Chawama Member of Parliament, Tasila Lungu, has just 10 sitting days left to present herself to the National Assembly or risk losing her parliamentary seat.

‎The deadline, issued by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti, is fast approaching. Mutti’s ultimatum requires Tasila currently in South Africa mourning her father, former President Edgar Lungu t o report to the House or face possible disciplinary action.

‎On July 25, 2025, Speaker Mutti ruled that Tasila must return to Parliament within 14 days after her father’s burial or within 14 days after the opening of the fifth session of the 13th National Assembly. President Hakainde Hichilema opened the session on Friday, September 12, 2025. Since the House does not sit on weekends or Mondays, the final day for Tasila to appear is October 7, 2025.

‎However, Edgar Lungu’s burial has been delayed due to a legal dispute in South Africa over the repatriation of his remains. This uncertainty has fueled concerns about whether Tasila intends to return to Zambia.

‎The Speaker’s ruling followed a point of order raised by Zambezi East MP Brian Kambita, who questioned whether the House should continue recognising Tasila as an MP. His concerns were based on court documents in which former First Lady Esther Lungu expressed fear for her family’s safety in Zambia.

‎Before issuing her directive, Mutti confirmed receiving a letter from Tasila requesting leave to attend the ongoing court proceedings in South Africa. Nonetheless, she emphasised the importance of representation for the people of Chawama.

‎“Honourable Members, the issue the point of order raises is whether a Member who is outside the country and has no intention of returning should continue to be recognised as a Member of Parliament,” Mutti said. “In this regard, I direct, in absentia, Ms. T. Lungu, MP, to present herself to either my office if the House is on recess or to the House within 14 days after the burial of her late father, or within 14 days of the opening of the fifth session of the 13th National Assembly.”

‎The National Assembly’s orders stipulate that members who are absent for four consecutive sittings without written permission may be referred to the Committee on Privileges and Absences. If Tasila fails to meet the October 7 deadline, she risks losing her Chawama seat.