Malawi Parliament accused of extravagance amid economic hardships

Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya has been accused of buying four vehicles valued at K300m amid economic hardships the country is going through.

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.

Democratic Progressive Party officials and sympathisers say this is hypocrisy at its best.

“The Malawi Congress Party has always been hard on the government and President Peter Mutharika on financial prudence yet the same party can blow up to K300m on luxurious cars,” said a senior party official on Saturday who declined to be named because he says he does speak for the party.

Chakwera is MCP president whilst Msowoya is MCP vice president.

Chilenje is an independent MP while Chiwaya is UDF legislator.

Other Malawians writing in social media wondered why parliament couldn’t hold the buying of the cars until when the economic situation improved, saying it is double standards to ask the executive arm of government for belt tightening amid economic problems when the opposition itself cares less.

“They were not walking on foot, am sure they have other officials cars which they could have continued using until the situation improves,” says a post on Facebook.

President Peter Mutharika has cancelled his India trip where he was to attend India China summit, claiming the economic situation does not allow him to travel.

Jessie Kabwila, the MCP spokesperson has time and again lashed out at the Mutharika administration for lacking economic prudence.