Deputy speaker asks MCP lawmaker to bring evidence of DPP rigging plot for 2019

Wanga Gwede –Nyasa Times

First Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje  has asked  member of parliament for Lilongwe North East, Maxwell Thyolera (Malawi Congress Party –MCP) to bring to parliament Wednesday after evidence of his claim that ruling Democratic Progressive Party(DPP) are recruiting its cadres in police to rig the 2019 elections.

Thyolera made the allegations during his contributions to the debate on the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Peter Mutharika last Friday.

MCP claims Mutharika is in power on stolen votes in 2014.

Thyolera said the DPP wants to hold on to power through poll rigging in 2019 and that party cadres are being recruited in police for the gland plan.

He said: “We have information that they have included DPP cadets with the aim of rigging 2019 elections.”

But Leader of the House, George Chaponda, rubbished the allegations saying the lawmaker was “misinforming” the nation.

The deputy speaker asked Thyolera to back his claim with evidence.

When challenged to bring evidence, Thyolera said he would do so.

Mcheka Chilenje then asked him to return to the chamber Wednesday afternoon with evidence.

But Lilongwe Msozi MP, Vitus Dzoole Mwale faulted Mcheka Chilenje for demand of evidence.

“These demands are the ones that led to the death of one of our member (Mchinji West member of Parliament MP  Billy Kanjira Banda ),” said Dzoole Mwale.

Kanjira Banda was thrown out of Parliament after a heated exchange with Mcheka Chilenje in March and later collapsed at St Francis Catholic Church in Lilongwe’s Area 25.

In his contribution to an allocation under the Democracy Consolidation Programme through the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), late Banda alleged that some Cabinet ministers would personally benefit in millions of kwacha from such allocations.

Prior to kicking him out, Mcheka Chilenje accused the MP of being personal. She advised the legislator that his emotional outburst was not good for his health

Chilenje on Tuesday told Dzoole that her demand to Thyolera to bring evidence was in accordance with parliamentary standing orders, saying “nothing personal.”

Mcheka said  it’s “not healthy” to argue  with her.

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