In the pictures, petitioners and their supporters celebrate the outcome of the ruling (Nation News Paper)
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi High Court in Blantyre on Thursday, February 4, 2021 nullified Parliamentary elections of Nsanje North, Chikwawa East and Nsanje Central constituencies.
Candidates for Malawi Congress Party in the three constituencies took Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to court for declaring incumbent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators Francis Kasaila (Nsanje Central), Esther Mcheka Chilenje (Nsanje North) and United Democratic Front (UDF) legislator Sam Khumbanyiwa (Chikwawa East) winners of the May 21, 2019 Parliamentary polls.
Those who challenged MEC’s declaration of results are MCP candidates Foster Thipwa (Chikwawa East), Enock Chizuzu (Nsanje North) and Kafandikhale Mandevana (Nsanje Central).
Judge Sylvester Kalembera has since ordered that a new election be conducted within 60 days.
However the three are expected to appeal against the verdict.
Fired Peoples Party (PP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Mzimba Hora Mzomera Ngwira on Wednesday was suspected to be drunk as he disrupted the house business by bringing contrary issues.
The house was debating issues concerning the bill of national park and wildlife as presented by the Minister of Natural Resources Bright Msaka.
However, when he rose to contribute, Ngwira started accusing people from the southern region of being the controllers of any kind of leadership instead of commenting on the matter which was being discussed.
“Why should every position be controlled by the southerners? Should we say that they are the only ones to lead this country?” wondered Ngwira.
Despite the deputy speaker of Parliament Mcheka Chilenje saying he was out of order, Ngwira who seemed to be in angry mood with the development continued his controversial remarks without fear.
“This house should approve the bill that will share the leadership such as the governor of the Reserve Bank, President and others. For example, each and every region should have its term not just the south,” said Ngwira.
However, drama erupted when the speaker switched off the microphone used by Ngwira and the MP jumped to the nearby microphone and the speaker switched it again.
The other MPs in the house especially from government side suspected that Ngwira was drunk while shouting at him to seat down.
The deputy speaker then threatened to throw Ngwira out of the house using the standing orders if he continues disturbing the house business.
The MP who was uncontrollable during the day, came out of the Parliament on his own and then the house continued its business.
The Opposition Members of Parliament have on Tuesday asked the Minister of Education Emmanuel Fabiano to immediately resign from the position for failing to address challenges facing his ministry, particularly the academic crisis which has led to closure of different public universities.
Fabiano: Councils are responsible for problems facing public universities
The legislators’ stand came after the minister told the national assembly that the ministry of education is not responsible for challenges facing institutions of higher learning in the country.
Asked on how the ministry will address the indefinite closure of different public colleges in the country, Fabiano, in his response said that his ministry cannot answer such question because the Public Universities are not in its hands.
“Let me school members of this house that there is no clause in the Public Universities Act that says Education Minister shall be responsible in such event,” argued Fabiano.
He said it is the responsibility of the Finance Minister, Health and the University Council to deal with the problems.
“On issues of Polytechnic University, it concerns the students and the council. On Mzuzu University, it concerns the Minister of Finance as it tackles financial matters. Health Sciences Colleges is under the ministry of health. And lastly, the Natural Resource College issue is also between the students and council,” said Fabiano.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mcheka Chilenje however ordered the minister to tone down his remarks but was backed by the leader of the house George Chaponda.
MP for Salima North West Constituency Jessie Kabwira failed to hold her temper but asking Fabiano to resign.
The house was then adjourned for a health break and the members are expecting to continue with the same issue when the house resumes within the day.
President Peter Mutharika also denied intervening in the problems rocking the Public Universities recently.
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