Parliament descended into chaos yesterday as some thugs vandalised vehicles belonging to two opposition female legislators during a session where President Lazarus Chakwera was answering questions.
The smashed vehicles belong to Zomba Malosa member of Parliament (MP) Grace Kwelepeta and her Zomba Changalume counterpart Lonnie Chijere Chirwa, both of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The attack, which unfolded within the supposedly secure parliamentary premises, has reignited debate over rising political violence and police inaction, as it all happened on the law enforcers’ watch.
The drama began when a group of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters, some clad in party regalia, arrived in lorries and cars, chanting slogans and loitering around the Parliament Building premises.
While a group of women in party cloth sat calmly near the ministers’ entrance to “escort” Chakwera, tensions flared at the MPs’ main entrance into the building.
Uniformed police cordoned off the area, but struggled to contain a disorderly crowd of youths, forcing some MPs to retreat into the building.
Inside, the situation was equally dramatic as a group of well-dressed individuals in suits was permitted entry and chanted “Boma ilo!” as Chakwera left the chamber.
Police officers stood idle, even as the chaos escalated. Some witnesses said in random interviews that as the President concluded his session, a charged mob smashed the vehicles on its way out before fleeing.
Malawi Defence Force soldiers, who were already stationed nearby, swiftly moved to disperse the lingering crowds.
Panicked legislators were seen ripping off license plates to avoid identification before speeding away.
In an interview yesterday, opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) leader in Parliament Ned Poya said: “MPs aren’t safe even in Parliament. Cameras and police were here, yet this happened. Security must be beefed up—the military shouldn’t have to step in.”
On his part, DPP director of political affairs, who is also Thyolo Central MP Ben Phiri said it was disappointing that police were present, but did nothing.
He said: “We expect arrests, but we know they won’t happen.”
When contacted for comment yesterday evening, Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda expressed surprise and asked for details of the incident.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) chairperson Gift Trapence has condemned the attack as a sign of lawlessness, wondering, “If MPs are not safe at Parliament, then who is?”
Said Trapence: “In this case we are calling for an independent Parliamentary Security Service that answers to the clerk of Parliament.”
