By Jones Gadama
A heated argument between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Patricia Nangozo-Kainga and Blantyre City South East Constituency member of Parliament Sameer Suleman brought proceedings to a halt in Parliament on Tuesday.
The two lawmakers had to be separated by their colleagues after they nearly came to blows.
According to eyewitnesses, the argument started with a verbal exchange between Nangozo-Kainga and Suleman, with the Deputy Minister allegedly using an expletive to insult the MP.
This provoked Suleman’s anger, and he stood up to confront Nangozo-Kainga.
The situation quickly escalated, with Nangozo-Kainga marching to Suleman’s seat, prompting fellow lawmakers to intervene and separate the two.
The incident brought proceedings to a halt, with the Speaker of the House calling for order to be restored.
It remains unclear what triggered the argument between the two lawmakers.
However, sources close to the matter suggest that the argument may have been related to a disagreement over a policy issue.
Nangozo-Kainga, who was appointed as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2025, has been a vocal advocate for various policy initiatives.
Suleman, on the other hand, has been a strong critic of the government’s poor policies.
The incident has raised concerns about the level of decorum and respect among lawmakers in Parliament.
While disagreements and debates are a natural part of the legislative process, physical altercations and verbal insults are not acceptable behavior.
The Speaker of the House has called for an investigation into the incident and has warned lawmakers to maintain a high level of decorum and respect in Parliament.
In related news, President Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and respect among Malawians, particularly among lawmakers.
The President has called on lawmakers to work together to address the country’s challenges and to promote the welfare of all Malawians.
The incident between Nangozo-Kainga and Suleman serves as a reminder of the need for lawmakers to maintain a high level of decorum and respect, even in the face of disagreements and debates.
