Chaponda, Dausi stop PAC from barring them
DPP leader of the House George Chaponda and publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi yesterday got a court injunction restraining the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament from stopping them to join the committee.
In separate interview on Thursday, Chaponda and Dausi confirmed getting the High Court order and serving the same to the Attorney General, saying after seeking the injunction, they proceeded to attend a PAC meeting at Parliament.
“The injunction is restraining the Speaker of Parliament or chairperson of PAC from blocking or removing us from the committee until the court gives its determination or another order on the same.
This means, we are members of the committee and will proceed to attend PAC meetings. We are already there [at PAC] right now,” said Dausi.
Chaponda also said he went to attend a PAC meeting Thursday.
PAC on Wednesday barred Chaponda and Dausi from joining the committee on grounds of irregularities and “questionable” motive on their switch when it resumed its meetings to probe the cashgate scandal.
The committee is expected to interview former budget director Paul Mphwiyo, former minister of Finance Ken Lipenga, Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) governor Charles Chuka, Chief Secretary to Government Hawa Ndilowe, Accountant General David Kandoje and former Secretary to Treasury Radson Mwadiwa.
But Chaponda and Dausi said the committee had no powers to reject their membership.
Sitimangochotsana ngati ana ayi, mukuwaopa chani makosanawo, they have been members of PAC pano muwakane.
Why were they barred is not yet mentioned and if mentioned I think not that touching and convincing.
If they are members let them exercise their right without compromise.
Some of us in the General Public need to know some of your{P A C} statutes so that some of these ill-comments should be atleast avoided to these respecable figures.