Tembo says election of Leader of Opposition is ‘illegal’
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokeswoman, Nancy Tembo says the election of Ephraim Kayembe as Leader of Opposition is illegal and in contempt of court.
Tembo told Nyasa Times in a telephone interview that the Speaker of Parliament, Henry Chimunthu Banda allowed the House including government to vote for Leader of Opposition when the matter is in court.
“We [MCP] feel very sad that we feel the whole process was illegal because the issue is in court,” said Tembo.
“There was a judgement by the High Court in favour of the status quo [Standing Orders that say largest opposition party should provide leader of opposition],” said Tembo. “The Speaker appealed against that ruling.”
The Speaker allowed the vote when the opposition nominated candidates after Legal Affairs Committee chair, Henry Duncan Phoya presented a report which changed procedures of electing Leader of Opposition
“The Speaker though he fend ignorance that the matter is in court, he is an appellant,” she said.
“It is upsurd that the rule of law is not being upheld in the country,” said Tembo.
She alleged that government supported Kayembe’s candidature to fight MCP president John Tembo.
“The Leader of the Opposition will not be independent from government. He will be like any other minister,” she said.
Tembo said MCP was “bruised” but said largely the nation should mourn because she pointed out that democracy was under threat.
“We feel bruised as MCP but Malawi as a nation should worry,” she said.
“Malawi as a country is not about Hon Tembo. We really must fear for democracy. People who fought for democracy to bring about change in 1994 should be concerned,” said the MCP publicist.
Asked how MCP president has reacted to the development, she said: “He [Hon Tembo, pictured] is very calm. He cannot easily get ruffled. He believes in the rule of law and whatever the courts will determine, he will take it.”
MCP leaders let by parliamentary chief whip, Lingston Belekanyama, Makala Ngozo, Jean Sendeza and Mcstain Mkomba boycotted the election of the Leader of Opposition.
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