By Falles Kamanga
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara’s tenure in the Malawian Parliament has been marred by incompetence and controversy, raising significant concerns over her handling of parliamentary procedures and leadership style.
Critics argue that her approach has severely impacted the legislative body’s independence and authority, with one of the most glaring issues being her handling of the issue of Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
Hara has been playing dirty politics using Parliament, an arena that should ideally be above partisan politics, pettiness, and manipulations.
One of the most controversial actions under her leadership was the appointment of Kondwani Nankhumwa as the Leader of the Opposition.
This move was an overstep into the prerogatives of political parties to choose their parliamentary representatives. This action set a precedent that continues to haunt the operations of the National Assembly.
After firing Nankhumwa from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the party appointed Mary Navicha as the Leader of the Opposition, formally notifying the National Assembly of this change.
However, in a continuation of her previous scheming and interference, Speaker Hara has now created her structure within the Parliament, recognizing Navicha as the Leader of the DPP while continuing to recognise Nankhumwa as the Leader of the Opposition.
This manipulation of parliamentary procedures undermines the democratic principles that govern the operations of the National Assembly.
The role of the Speaker is to ensure fairness, uphold the integrity of parliamentary proceedings, and facilitate the smooth functioning of the legislature as a platform for debate and decision-making.
By inserting herself into the centre of political machinations, Hara compromises her neutrality and detracts from the Parliament’s role as an independent legislative body.
The essence of a competent Speaker lies in their ability to remain impartial, ensuring that all parliamentary members, irrespective of their political affiliations, are treated equally and fairly.
The Speaker should facilitate legislative processes, maintaining a balanced and non-partisan approach to debates and decisions.
Moreover, a Speaker’s primary responsibility is safeguarding the Parliament’s autonomy, enabling it to check the executive branch effectively.
Hara’s approach to leadership, characterised by incompetence, interference, and the creation of parallel structures within Parliament, starkly contrasts with these expectations.
It brings into question her impartiality and commitment to fostering a democratic and functioning parliamentary environment.
As Malawi strives to strengthen its democratic institutions, the role of the Speaker in preserving the integrity and effectiveness of the Parliament is crucial. Gotani Hara has failed in her duty.
The challenges posed by Hara’s tenure highlight the need for a reevaluation of the qualities and behaviours that define effective parliamentary leadership.
The Speaker of the Parliament must transcend partisan politics and champion the democratic ideals of accountability, transparency, and impartiality vital for the nation’s democratic health and citizens’ welfare.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or the Editor
