Speaker says petitioners shouldn’t enter Malawi Parliament gates: Security concern

Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya has deplored the tendency of petitioners entering the gates of Parliament Building to present their petitions, saying that would be compromising security of the National Assembly.

Leader of opposition Lazarous Chakwera received the petition from chiefs.- Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma, Nyasa Times
Leader of opposition Lazarous Chakwera received the petition from chiefs.- Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma, Nyasa Times
Petitioners on Customary Land Bill at Parlaiment .- Photo by Mphatso  Nkhoma, Nyasa Times
Petitioners on Customary Land Bill at Parlaiment .- Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma, Nyasa Times
Wandale greeting MPs after presenting petition on land bill.- Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma
Wandale greeting MPs after presenting petition on land bill.- Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma
Speaker Msowoya : Raise concern on security of MPs
Speaker Msowoya : Raise concern on security of MPs

Msowoya condemned a group of traditional leaders who walked to Parliament building to present the petition to leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera, who was accompanied by opposition lawmakers and some independent legislators, saying that could be a security breach.

He said all petitioners should be met outside parliament premises.

“I ask members of the House to please abide by the Standing Orders and provisions on the processing of petitions,” said the Speaker.

“One person is identified to receive the petition on behalf of all members and these people [petitioners] are not, in any way, allowed to come into parliament.”

Chakwera and the opposition MPs trooped outside the House to receive the petition from Chiefs after learning that they were bared and harassed by police at the Parliament building.

But Speaker said he was concerned on security of members of parliament.

“These are issues of security and when something happens you will blame me, saying I did not do enough to help you when you have compromised your own security.

“These are issues if importance and must be taken as such,” said the Speaker.

In the petition, the chiefs warned President Peter Mutharika and his administration to discard the newly passed Customary Land Bill.

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MPhande Yituwa
MPhande Yituwa
7 years ago

Maso aseguka tsopano Malawi but too late

Ngalamayi
Ngalamayi
7 years ago

In most democracies, the electorate has access to the MPs it placed in power. How else can they voice their opinion, especially if the press is not free. Malawi is becoming a dictatorship, more and more like Animal Farm. If the people say something the government doesn’t want to hear, it covers its ears &/or arrests the people. Take care, Malawi. Your freedom is at risk.

Banda
Banda
7 years ago

The Speaker forgets his place Parliament is owned by the people of Malawi the Speaker is only a guest,

Parliament must be open to the public for viewing, education and protest.

Agree certain areas and offices must be closed to public but not what the Speaker suggests outside the gate or on the highway.

Malawi is a free Democratic country and free access to the Parliament grounds and public areas should not be closed to the people,

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