Chakwera insists on Malawi ‘ State of Emergency’

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera  has insisted that President Peter Mutharika should have declared a State of Emergency instead of a State of Disaster depsite Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu explaining that the President  opted for a declaration of State of Disaster as a more prompt reaction requiring less procedure that also preserved human rights.

MCP president Lazarous Chakwera: Ntime for scoring cheap political points
MCP president Lazarous Chakwera: Ntime for scoring cheap political points

Chakwera argued  in parliament that a State of Emergency in floods-ravaged areas could have made a difference in the response to those affected

“More could have been done by Parliament or the relevant committee to declare a State of Emergency,” the opposition chief said in response to a ministerial statement which Minister of Transport and Public Infrastructure Francis Kasaila delivered in the House at the start of the four-week  mid-year budget meeting.

“This is the worst disaster that Malawi has experienced in recent memory. It is important that we stand together, it is not time for scoring cheap political points,” said Chakwera, apparently reacting to government rejection of his calls.

According to Tembenu,  a state of emergency results in curtailment of people’s rights, restrictions on liberty and other rights as well as imposition of curfews.

“Under Section 45 sub-section Three of the Constitution, the President may with approval of the Defence and Security Committee of the National Assembly call for a state of emergency only in times of war, threat of civil war or widespread national disaster,” Tembenu said.

The Minister said the current situation was ably tackled by a State of National Disaster as stipulated in section 32 sub-section One of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act of 1992.

He added that a State of Emergency has a shorter life span of 21 days.

 

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ada chims
ada chims
9 years ago

Bwana presdent kulibe kumalawi

Olirah
9 years ago

What comes does not beat a drum but what is important is to choose the best option from what you have in your plate.

Mphwache
Mphwache
9 years ago

If this is not a “Widespread National Disaster” then I don’t what is? When almost every house in the land is leaking, damaged or submerged in water, when almost half of all maize crop is damaged in the fields beyond rescue, when major roads in the nation are at some point damaged to the level of impassability, when all earth roads turn into mud tracks and a lot of people displaced in the diluge are living in classrooms and churches, and its not yet a Widespread National Disaster?

komwe kwa Chazunda
komwe kwa Chazunda
9 years ago

Kodi mu Americano ameneyo akufuna azitiputsitsa ife. Why is he majoring in minors??? Osachititse manyazi ife ofumumu aku Ntchisi

clement
clement
9 years ago

I have noted that some pple they in Malawi using fake degrees like Chakwera,Kabwila etc.Imagine what happened there at Kamuzu Cenral Hospital,a fake Doctor failing to write report even to know the proper medication to give the patient.Serious,there is need to follow up such degrees.

Award Winner
Award Winner
9 years ago

He thinks he’s smart, but really, he’s one dumb man

Gringotts
Gringotts
9 years ago

Ameneyu ndi Lazalo Chatsika amene adasankha kutumikila Mdiyelekezi

Chakwera
Chakwera
9 years ago

Apatu anthu akafika posaika ma comment umangoziwiratu kuti usiru wako atopa nao. Kodi ma degree ndi a theology paja. Thinking ukuchita kuoneseratu

Novirhikana Kovahiwa
Novirhikana Kovahiwa
9 years ago

Mbutuma iyi sikuziwa chomwe ikufuna akuwina ngati ndi tchalitchi koti anthu alibe ufulu opasidwa mpata kusankha chomwe akufuna

Kadakwiza
Kadakwiza
9 years ago

Thank you Hon. Tembenu for schooling this M’busa cum politician. Hon. Chakwera you don’t belong in parliament but in church. So go back to the pulpit.

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