Opposition cries over spilt milk on Malawi Land bill

Opposition members of parliament returned to the Chamber on Tuesday afternoon after a brief protest walk out just to find the government had passed the controversial Land Bill in their absence.

They fiercely demanded that the passing of the bill be reversed, saying they had amendments to make.

Rumphi east MP Kamlepo Kalua and other opposition backbenchers cried foul that the bill could not be passed in the state it was, saying it favoured tea estate owners and other commercial farmers with sways of land.

However, Leader of the House George Chaponda calmy told the House it was impossible to recall a bill after it had already been passed.

He said he had agreed with Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera on the issue.

“The matter has been resolved. There is an agreement with the Leader of opposition,” said Chaponda.

The debate took almost one hour as the government and opposition sides agreed to disagree as the opposition wanted to have the amendments made to an already passed bill.

Chakwera confirmed having met Chaponda over the matter but accused government of back stabbing and ambushing asking why the government decided to pass the bill after the opposition had walked out.

However the matter calmed and the legislators went on to debate on another Land bill concerning Physical Planning which has since been passed without problems.