Chiefs summon MP Bofomo over ‘Mzimba part of Malawi by mistake’ remarks
Senior Ngoni chiefs in Malawi’s northern district of Mzimba have summoned a parliamentarian from the district to discuss his recent suggestion in Parliament that Mzimba was not part of Malawi.
MP for Mzimba Luwerezi Dr Bofomo Nyirenda raised the issue in Parliament on Friday as part of debate on the Land bill, arguing the land in Mzimba does not belong to Malawi Government as the new Land Act states, but to the people of the district who he argues are not part of Malawi but just development partners.
In reaction, Inkosi Mabulabo said Bofomo’s remarks “was not made in good faith at all.”
“That statement was very unfortunate. We did not expect it to come from an honourable MP. Everyone knows Malawi, as per our Republican Constitution, is one. The statement is rebellious that can land one in trouble. He is only fortunate he used his parliamentary privilege to say that.
“We want to bring him to a round table discussion over the weekend for him to explain exactly what he meant. As an MP, he should not be in the forefront saying that because he does not speak on behalf of traditional leaders here,” Inkosi Mabulabo said on Wednesday.
Mabulabo said, as a traditional leader, he recognises that Malawi, including Mzimba Town Council, is one nation under the existing governance structure.
Nyirenda told parliament: “Mzimba is part of Malawi by mistake…M’mbelwa Administrative Council was an independent kingdom neighbouring Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Nyasaland was colonised in 1895 by the British and Mzimba was not.
“Mzimba was persuaded by the Queen to work as development partners with Nyasaland…and it was agreed that Mzimba would reclaim its independence from Britain after enough people from there were educated,” wrote Nyirenda in a speech addressed to Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda.
The chiefs want the MP to explain what he meant by that statement.
