MDF, police beef up Parliament security

By Audrey Kapalamula:

Inclusion of Malawi Defence Force (MDF) officers in providing security to Parliament Building in Lilongwe Thursday morning stirred debate among some members of Parliament (MPs), with others questioning Malawi Police Service (MPS)’s capacity.

MDF and police officers manned entry points at Parliament Building with armoured vehicles stationed at all entrances.

MPs and all who wanted to access Parliament Building used the VIP entrance, as the main entrance was closed using an MDF vehicle.

Malawi Congress Party Dowa East legislator Richard Chimwendo Banda and the party’s Chief Whip Sam Kawale questioned Homeland Security Ministry on MPS’s capacity to provide security to the country.

“Is it that the Minister of Homeland Security has recognised the inability of police or is a State of emergency declared in the country,” Kawale said.

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But Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani-Hara, said: “All security institutions are ensuring safety and security of Parliament premises and that of MPs so that they can transact business safely.”

Tom Sangala

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