Activists slam Malawi Parliament over K300m cars

Activists Billy Mayaya and Rev Macdonald Sembereka on Sunday accused Parliament for spending K300million in procurement of four State of the art vehicles, for Speaker, deputy speakers and leader of opposition, Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

Parliament has bought a Land cruiser for the Speaker and three Toyota Prados for leader of opposition in parliament Lazarus Chakwera, deputy speakers Esther Mcheka Chilenje and Clement Chiwaya.

Chakwera is MCP president whilst Msowoya is MCP vice president. Chilenje is an independent MP while Chiwaya is UDF legislator.

Mayaya described the procurement as hypocrisy at its best.

He told Nyasa Times: “It’s reckless of the worst nature. One expected better from the opposition. I wonder if it’s the saying ‘if you can’t beat them join them.’ We have to stop this carelessness it will take Malawi nowhere.

“ I wonder what’s wrong with our politicians in Malawi be it in government or the opposition.  Of what benefit will it be for them to drive posh cars when the citizenry are deprived of basic necessities.  This must stop forthwith.”

Another member of the civil Society Macdonald Sembereka said it was unfortunate that Parliament has bought the vehicles while the economy is not doing well.

“There is a certain level of hypocrisy where on the one hand Parliament demands accountability on the part of the other branches of government and yet at the same time does not exercise austerity in the light of the current economic plight. We expected Parliament to be exemplary,” said Sembereka, who served as religious adviser to former president Joyce Banda.

Government spokesman, Jappie Mhango told Malawi News which first reported about the procurement that Parliament’s move is “ strange and disturbing” as Capital Hill banned procurement of vehicles across the board including parliament and diplomatic missions.

Mhango lashed at Parliament for being selfish in getting “fuel guzzlers” during time of economic hardships.

He the Speaker, his deputies and leaders of opposition want to live in “luxury” while the rest of tax payers are wallowing in poverty.

Speaker Msowoya said parliament purchased the vehicles as soon they got into the office last year, saying “there is nothing new that has happened on this matter.”

Malawi News in its editorial condemned the purchase of the expensive vehicles, saying the country’s leaders want “luxury at the expense of poverty”, and that “they should be ashamed.”