Malawi deputy speaker Chingola heckled at Chief Kwataine coronation
Ntcheu central constituents embarrassed their member of parliament Jones Chingola in full presence of Malawi President Mrs. Joyce Banda who was presiding over the installation of senior chief Kwataine.
It became apparently clear from the start that tension was brewing as an irate group of people threw insults at the legislator, who is also deputy speaker in the Malawian national assembly, when he arrived at Madzanje school ground where the event was being held.
Meanwhile, when it was his time to address the crowd that gathered in his capacity as parliamentarian for the area, a group of villagers started booing him much to the surprise of Chingola and other guests that came to witness the colorful event.
“Pita uko iwe si phungu wathu ayi ife tilibe phungu, watibela chimanga chomwe amai anakupasa kuti uzatigawile iwe wakapasa abale ako. (Go away you are not our MP, in fact we don’t have a representative in this area. The president gave you maize to distribute to hunger stricken families but you have given it to your relatives,” an elderly woman possibly in her late 70’s could be heard shouting much to the appreciation of fellow villagers.
This seemed to have psychologically put off Chingola who could barely be heard in his speech as he kept on gaffing.
He however, asked the President to give him direction on what he should do with the maize flour the Head of State already gave to him for distribution in the vast constituency.
Ironically, when President Banda took to the podium she did not respond to Chingola’s request.
Instead Banda said she will not allow some unscrupulous politicians and traditional leaders to stifle her relief efforts.
“I will deal with you if I find out that you are throwing spanners in the maize distribution exercise. As for the chiefs I’m ready to dethrone you,” warned Banda amid cheering and ululations.
Surprisingly, Chingola’s predecessor Sam Mpasu was given warm welcome by the very same crowd that embarrassed Chingola.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if the discontentment was politically schemed or the constituents have legitimate concerns against their representative.
