By Zweli Martin Dlamini

LOBAMBA: An attempt by Nkilongo Member of Parliament(MP) to remove Speaker in the House of Assembly Petros Mavimbela was blocked by Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg inside Parliament on Thursday.

The Nkilongo MP used Standing Order number fifty-eight(58)and asked the Speaker to recuse himself and allow his Deputy Madala Mhlanga to preside as the matter was touching him directly.

“Mr Speaker, I am raising this matter using Standing Order 58 but before I proceed, I am requesting you to recuse yourself because the matter touches on you and the position you are holding,” said the Nkilongo MP when speaking in Parliament.

But before the Nkilongo MP could finish his submissions, Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg blocked him saying Myeni must explain in accordance with the Parliamentary Privileges Act why he used Standing Order 58.

Reached for comments after being blocked, Myeni said with the support of other MPs, he wanted to remove the Speaker but did  not get enough support from them as they decided to keep quiet.

MP Myeni accused the Speaker of being a dictator by blocking critical debates about the poor governance of the country.