MP Bisnowaty, LL CEO Hara in near punch-up: Trade barbs

Lilongwe City Centre MP David Bisnowaty and the Lilongwe City Council CEO Richard Hara on Monday most exchanged punches  as they exchanged verbal tirades within the Civic Offices  during an all inclusive meeting.

During the break, reporters witnessed  Bisnowaty having an altercation with Hara in the corridors of the Civic Office and almost exchanged punches before they were separated.

Bisnowaty told reporters that he is “not happy “that the CEO has labelled  him “a foreigner.”

“Who is the CEO to label me a foreigner, I am a Member of Parliament (MP) legally elected to represent the constituency so who is Hara to intimidate me by  talking  to me in such a manner?” said a visibly charged Bisnowaty.

But in a separate interview,  Hara denied having said that Bisnowaty is a foreigner.

“What I  said was that I am a bonafide Malawian with full rights of employment in my country,” explained Hara.

“You may wish to know that this is not the first time that I have crossed path with him. He  (Bisnowaty) always stand on my way accusing me in different ways, he is almost in the media giving false allegations against me, That is why today I called him so that I can speak my mind,” said Hara.

But Bisnowaty said: “What I have been saying is to ask him to clean the city, fix the street lights, fill  the potholes, and the question I ask,  is this standing on his way to ask for quality delivery services?”

During the meeting,  Lilongwe City Mayor Willie Chapondera appealed for unity among the Council and the executive.

Chapondera said mutual understanding and good relationship between the two will help to foster development within the council.

“I am asking for cordial relations between the secretariats, Members of Parliament and ward councillors for smooth implementation of the programs within the council,” said Chapondera.

During the meeting the council received reports on the Public Works Program (PWP)  2014 to 2015.

But disagreements started when councillors and  the Members of Parliament questioned on why the executive not consulted the council when starting the Public Works Programs of the said period and yet at that time there was a full council.

Tempers flared in the meeting until the Mayor adjourned the meeting to allow Council  Committees  discuss the issue.