Article By: Lloyd M’bwana
An independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe City Centre Constituency, David Yakov Bisnowaty has penned the country’s National Assembly Speaker-Richard Msowoya to take action on discriminatory and racist remarks Malawi Congress Party (MPC) legislator Alekeni Menyani for Lilongwe North West made against him (Bisnowaty) describing the act as illegal and unacceptable in the modern civilized world.
Law maker Bisnowaty penned the Speaker Msowoya to act on the MP Menyani following failure by Second Deputy Speaker Clement Chiwaya to condemn the discriminatory and racist remarks which Bisnowaty feels Menyani and other MCP members were treated with glove hands instead of being censored on such un-Parliamentary remarks deemed for withdrawal.
According to Except from the Hansard (printed remarks or contributions legislators make in Parliament) dated November 19, 2015, Chiga 18, Tape No.6, time 2:04pm, The Maravi Post sourced from the Malawi Parliament shows that Bisnowaty rose on point of order on MCP’s Lilongwe North East, Maxwell Thyolera remarks saying during Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda rule there was no hunger that harvest were in granaries in each and every household.
“Thank you so much Mr. Second Deputy Speaker, Sir for recognizing Lilongwe South to contribute on the matter is on the floor. It’s a very, very important matter. Actually, we can say that as a nation right now we are in a crisis and people from Chitipa to Nsanje are remembering the glorious times, the time when MCP was in power. The times When Dr.Kamuzu Banda was in power because during those times, Mr. Speaker, Sir, there was no hunger, harvest to mid harvest there were granaries in each and every household”, said Thyolera.
This prompted Bisnowaty to stand on the point of order which Second Deputy Speaker Chiwaya recognized him to say what was out of order.
“What has gone out of order Mr. Second Deputy Speaker, Sir is that the person that has just resumed his seat the Member (referring Thyolera) should remember that in those days everything was suppressed. We did not know whether there was hunger or nor in this country. And we know vey well that in those days, Mr. Second Deputy Speaker, Sir, they were busy building palaces instead of doing irrigation so we have food in this country. Thank you, Mr. Second Deputy Speaker, Sir”, says Bisnowaty.
These remarks angered MCP Law maker Menyani to stand on point order despite the Second Deputy Speaker Chiwaya tried to stop him as standing order do not allow a member to stand on the point of order when other member is also speaking on the point of order.
“Mr. Second Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are not going to take that from imported leaders. We as Malawi Congress Party would like to respond that. Since when did he become Malawian if I may ask? Because he came to Parliament on foreign passport. If he has become Malawian it is only today. Even people of his constituency are complaining because
they do not see him anymore. He has run away from the constituency and he is here disputing facts that everybody knows are true. Where was he that time”, fumed Menyani who is also MCP Director of Public Relations.
“Myuda uzipita iwe (This Jewish has to go back home).Uyu watiyamba dala uyu (He has proved us). Ndizimene anakukuuza a DPP zimenezo, ala?(Is this what DPP has sent you say, this is stupid), Alibe mudzi uyu, alibe munda (He doesn’t a village and even a farm or garden). Akuchita chiyani kuno (What is he doing here in Malawi)? Mbava izipita kwawo iyi (This thief has to go back home). Amako anayikidwa kuti iweyo (Where was your mother buried)? Ungaloze manda wa atate ako iwe (Can you identified the graveyard of your parents?) Ndimangofuna ndimuuze kuti alie manda a mbuye ake kuno,amachita mwano ameneyu (I wanted to remind him that he doesn’t have a farm land for his parents here, he is always rude to us)”, concludes discriminatory and racist remarks MCP legislators made against Bisnowaty.
In his letter dated on November 20, 2015 addressing to the Speaker which is also available to The Maravi Post, Bisnowaty seeks remedy from the speaker’s office upon failure by his deputy to act on the discriminatory and racism remarks.
Bisnowaty said the point order he rose did not condemned MCP rule on hunger situation but rather observed that there was political suppression was an order of the day which prevented people to speak out about hunger situation in their villages.
“I want to protest in the strongest terms against the relentless and senseless racism and discriminatory which I was personally subjected to by MPs from the MCP benches yesterday (November 19, 2015) in Parliament. The racial attacks were completely uncalled for and most unbecoming of an August House that makes laws against discrimination and racism. These MPs have brought this house into serious disrepute by indulging in these illegalities and blatant unconstitutional conduct.
“Mr. Speaker, I my many years in Malawi, I have never, ever been subjected to such uncivilized racial and discriminatory attacks as I was from these MPs. I find this most unfortunate because as MPs, we shouldn’t be the first ones to break the laws which we expect everybody to obey.
“Mr. Speaker, what disturbed me much more is that although the Second Deputy Speaker was calling for order in the chamber, he didn’t condemn the blatant and ugly racism that was going on in the house. He didn’t rule any of these remarks un-Parliamentary nor ask for the withdrawal of any of them (under section 103 of our standing order). For the sake of maintaining the dignity of the house, I would like to ask for the removal of these racist remarks from record”, reads the latter in part which the Speaker is expected to responded on Monday, November 23 proceedings.
The Law maker Bisnowaty emphatically reminded MP Menyani that he was duly elected on Malawian passport challenging him to produce evidence on allegation that he was not citizen of this country and that his constituents were complaining about his absent for developmental projects.
“Mr. Speaker, I feel strongly that Hon MPs should not be allowed to come to Parliament and lie freely about fellow MPs or about any other serious matter. MPs will readily behave in this manner if they suffer no consequences for such misconduct in Parliament. Parliament’s reputation will suffer greatly.
“I was duly elected by Malawians voters. I am entitled to equal treatment like any other MP in Parliament. If any Member of Parliament holds views different from mine, let them come up with their facts and let us debate in a civilized manner. I will welcome such debates any time. That’s the way to keep our House a reputable”, concludes the letter.
However, Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has asked the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to denounce insults and racist attacks its law markers hurled at MP Bisnowaty before the current seating rises, falling which the human right body and its 97 network members will conclude that MCP is racist party.
The Maravi Post on Saturday evening, November 21, caught up with MCP’s Spokesperson, Dr. Jessie Kabwira as whether the party would condemn the discriminatory and racist remarks its member made against other individuals who defended Menyani’s act warning to anybody who dares to insult MCP legacy under Dr. Kamuzu Banda would face the same rough.
“The underlining word should be on what prompted our members to act in such a manner. If Hon Bisnowaty didn’t start the issue all this couldn’t happen. This should be a lesson those intending to insult us that expect nothing but rough. Can you allow someone insults your parents then you remain quite? Tell Bisnowaty that he must refrain from making remarks which might revoke others anger”.
“If MCP was a racist party, during Dr. Kamuzu Banda era couldn’t allow the like of him to stay in this country. The public must judge MCP based on infrastructure development across the nation as whoever alter any silly word against the founder and father of the Malawi, should always brace for such treatment”, challenges Dr. Kabwira.
