Minister Chaponda behaves like ‘rattlesnake’, taunts MP Harry Mkandawire: Malawi Parliament

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda was subject to taunts and slurs in Parliament by Mzimba West MP, Harry Mkandawire who kept calling him  a “rattlesnake.”

Mkandawire told Parlaiment that they are dealing with “a rattlesnake” in  Chaponda, who is also a leader of the House.

But First Deputy Speaker Easther Mcheka Chilenje cautioned the parliamentarian to “choose proper words” in referring to the minister.

Mkandawire was adamant and repeated calling Chaponda a rattlesnake, saying “he himself told us that sometimes he becomes a rattlesnake. It is on record.”

He continued: “Sometimes he behaves like a rattle snake. He said it here.”

The First Deputy Speaker asked Chaponda if indeed he said in the House that sometimes he becomes a rattle snake.

Chaponda, however, accused Mkandawire  for  not understanding English.

But Mkandawire retorted:  I do speak better English than you.”

Chaponda attracted laughter from the House when he said: “I did not say that I am a snake. I said that if you provoked me, I could be dangerous.”

First Deputy Speaker commented by saying that  Mkandawire  had quoted Chaponda “right to say that once provoked, you behave like a rattle snake.”