OPPOSITION Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) has reiterated its position that Members of Parliament from the party will not attend any meeting convened by the Parliamentary Standing Committee to discuss misconduct by MPs during the previous parliament session that led to chaos in the august House.

CHADEMA Secretary General, Dr Wilbroad Slaa, told a press conference in Dar es Salaam that the committee was illegal because all committees were dissolved by the speaker during the previous parliamentary session.

"Even if it was legitimate, the committee had already judged our MPs by labelling them as instigators of the chaos that rocked the House without giving them the opportunity to defend themselves," said Dr Slaa.

According to Dr Slaa, a total of 28 MPs from Chadema and NCCR-Mageuzi have received letters signed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Thomas Kashalila and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Said Mwema summoning them to attend a meeting of the committee.

He said since the Parliamentary Standing Committee had already identified four MPs as the perpetrators of the chaos, there was no need to call them again to another meeting. Dr Slaa named the four MPs as Mr John Mnyika (Ubungo-Chadema), Mr Tundu Lissu (Singida East-Chadema), Mr Joshua Nassari (Arumeru East-Chadema) and Pauline Gekuru (Special Seats).

When reached for a comment, Deputy Speaker Mr Job Ndugai, clarified that Speaker Anne Makinda did not dissolve two parliamentary committees including the ethics committee because they were given the task to investigate the misconduct by MPs during sessions and the chaos that ensued.

He further said that the committee has the authority in accordance to parliamentary powers and privileges to enlist the assistance of the police force, speaker or the clerk when summoning the MPs.