Rwanda’s Parliament on Monday kicked out a lawmaker Ashinzwuwera Dumas Alexandre representing Prosperity and Solidarity Party (PSP) from the lower chamber of parliament, for what it termed “improper conduct”.
He is allegedly accused of attacking and fighting police officers that had visited his home to conduct investigations on March 30, that was looking into his allegedly assault to his brother.
The vice speaker of parliament Polisi Denis said that Ashinzwuwera who was until Monday a member of parliament, was involved in various illicit behaviors like assaulting on his brother, and resisting an arrest by security agencies at his home.
Article 90 of the Rwandan Parliamentary rules of procedure for the removal of member of Parliament, stipulates that, if a Member of Parliament displays misconduct in and out of Parliament such as absence from the house sessions without sound reason, involving into fist fighting, among others, the lawmakers have the mandate to take a punitive decision against him or her.
Ashinzwuwera was, however, given 48 hours from the date of the decision to appeal to the Supreme Court. His seat will be replaced soon after the court’s verdict.
Conduct of Members of Parliament is monitored by a disciplinary committee set by Parliamentarians themselves.
However, in a phone interview for an update on this story,Ashinzwuwera has denied knowledge of the expulsion orders saying, “i will go to the parliament to confirm this rumour. Until now there is no document to backup my expulsion”.
Ashinzwuwera says he learnt of this rumour from two phone calls i recieved telling me about my expulsion from the parliament.
“I heard i was given hours to leave the chambers. so i have to go there and clarify more about it,” Ashinzwuwera told Igihe.com today.
Ashinzwuwera however, has confirmed that he has abandoned PSP political party and crossed over to the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party
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