MP queries arrest of Msiska’s children over Jappie funeral saga

There was drama in Parliament which nearly brought the august House to a halt after main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) MP for Dowa East Richard Chimwendo Banda asked the Minister of Information Jappie Mhango to explain the arrest of late Tasokwa Msiska’s children.

Banda wanted the Minister to shed light on the arrest of Msiska’s children barely a week after their father’s death and burial in Rumphi.

However, Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya ruled Banda out of order for not following the Parliament Standing Order in bringing the issue to the House.

The Speaker’s angered the opposition side of the House who stood in solidarity with Banda and demanded that Mhango should give an explanation to the house.

The development also comes hot on the heels of chasing of Mhango at Msiska’s funeral by irate villagers who did not want the minister’s presence at the funeral.

Speaker Msowoya ruled that Banda should instead ask the Home Affairs minister as the Police falls under her ministry.

“I rule the honourable member out of out order because he did not follow the standing Order of bringing such an issue before Parliament,” said Msowoya.

This did not please the opposition side of the House who noisily demanded that Mhango should instead explain to the House the arrest as they felt he may be directly involved because he was chased at Msiska’s funeral.

Speaking in an interview later Banda said he wanted Mhango to shed light to the House and the nation why barely a week after the burial of their father and the incident of Mhango’s being chased.

“I just wanted Mhango to explain because the arrest comes hot on the heels of him being chased chased at Msiska’s funeral. Is it mere coincidence or Mhango has something to do with it,” said Banda.

Mhango succeeded Msiska as the legislator of Rumphi North and it is alleged that there was bad blood between the two with some unconfirmed reports alleging that Mhango may have a hand in Msiska’s death.

The two also faced each other in MCP’s primary elections which were conducted to choose a candidate who was to be the torch bearer of MCP in the 2014 tripartite elections and late Msiska emerged victorious.

Mhango, who is also Minister of Information and government spokesman, was not in the House but the MPs wanted him in Parliament to explain why he abused state resources to arrest the children.

Chimwendo Banda, chairman of social and community affairs in the 193 strong House took Speaker Richard Msowoya by surprise when he demanded that the House debates the issue.

However, Banda has said he will bring back the issue in the House and follow the House standing orders as demanded by the Speaker .

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