President, Speaker meet after Malawi parliament stopped school fee hike

President Peter Mutharika and Speaker of National Assembly Richard Msowoya on Thursday met for the first time in Lilongwe, a week after parliament stopped the government from implementing the secondary school fee hike.

The two did not talk to each other during the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day but their body language told it all.

Leader of the House Francis Kasaila accused Msowoya of “ambushing” the government by allowing a private members motion that called for the suspension of the fee hike without consulting the business committee, the political leadership of parliament as is the norm on any business of any day.

Msowoya hit back, saying standing orders, rules that govern the House allow him as Speaker and chairman of the Business Committee to introduce any other business.

He then allowed Salima Central MP Felix Jumbe who said it was unfair to hike fees in this economic turbulent times and asked the government to increase the fees when it improves the economy.

The motion was passed which means the fees cannot be implemented.

So Msowoya, vice president of opposition Malawi Congress Party on Thursday received a luke warm handshake from President Mutharika who had been out of the country when the motion was passed.