Msiska’s sons arrest rages on in Parliament

The late Tasokwa Msiska’s sons arrest resurfaced again in Parliament with arguments and counter arguments from both sides of the august House threatening to disrupt smooth proceedings of Parliaments business.

The maverick Rumphi East Peoples Party (PP) legislator Kamlepo Kalua moved a motion to have the issue discussed describing it an issue of national importance.

He brought the issue in the House using Standing Order 14 of the House which allows members to bring in the house an issue of national importance.

“We want the minister of Home Affairs to explain the arrest of late Tasokwa Msiska’s children because we feel government is using state machinery to arrest children who are mourning their father,” said Kalua who had taken over the issue raised by MCP MP Richard Chimwendo Banda the previous day.

He argued that government should release the children on bail because the issue may be over blown out of proportion because there were demonstrations taking place in the district.

However, DPP’s Chief Whip Henry Mussa who is standing in as Leader of the House argued that the House cannot discuss the issue because the minister of Home Affairs was not available as she was bedridden.

This did not please the opposition side of the House who jeered and booed Mussa threatening to bring the House into chaos.

Karonga Central MP Frank Mwenefumbo told the government side that the children should be released on bail, a move which Mussa vehemently opposed arguing that Mwenefumbo being a veteran legislator could be the last person to demand such a move.

The First Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje tried to bring order in the House but her pleas fell on deaf ears as the members traded barbs with the opposition accusing Jappie Mhango of using state machinery to suppress dissent.

However, DPP deputy Chief Whip Grace Chiumia pleaded with the opposition the government should be given a chance to investigate the matter.

“Government is asking for time to investigate the matter and will bring information as to what happened tomorrow,” said Chiumia.

That was when order returned in the House with the mover of the motion Kalua agreeing to wait for the government’s explanation the following day.