Speaker guides MP on House procedures
Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya on Monday told members of Parliament (MP) to follow laid-down procedures when introducing issues in the House.
Msowoya made the remarks after Dowa East MP, Richard Chimwendo Banda, tried to bring into the House the issue of reported arrests of sons of former Rumphi North MP, late Tasokwa Msiska.
“Honourable members, this is my plea. There are so many things which may arise. You have to use appropriate Standing Orders when introducing such issues in the House. I am ruling the honourable member out of order,” Msowoya said.
He wondered how Chimwendo Banda could be seeking an update on the said arrests from the Minister of Information instead of the Minister of Home Affairs.
Chimwendo Banda raised the issue after the House had passed a Bill on Estate Duty (Amendment). He loosely linked the Bill to what he said was happening to the sons of the deceased.
“We have just passed a Bill on deceased estate. We hear that sons of late Msiska [deceased] are being arrested in Rumphi. I wonder if the Minister of Information has some information on why they are [being] arrested,” Chimwendo Banda said.
It is reported that Minister of Information Jappie Mhango was chased from Msiska’s funeral last week.
Rumphi East MP, Kamlepo Kalua supported Chimwendo Banda’s demand, arguing that it was an important matter.
But Msowoya insisted that appropriate channels should be followed when introducing issues in the House.
The Speaker’s explanation did not stop MP for Lilongwe Msozi South, Vitus Dzoole Mwale, from contributing on the matter.
“We cannot close our eyes and let other things happen without commenting,” Dzoole Mwale said.
But the Speaker stood his ground, urging the MPs not to abuse their right.
Government Chief Whip, Henry Mussa, said since the Speaker had already ruled Chimwendo Banda out of order, there was no need to continue discussing the matter.
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