House divided over Namiwa abduction

Opposition members of Parliament (MPs) have called on Minister of Homeland Security Jean Sendeza to step down, arguing she is incompetent and not fit for the position.

The call follows her responses in Parliament where she defended people who carried pangas during  yesterday’s foiled demonstrations in Lilongwe and accused the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of staging the abduction of human rights activists Sylvester Namiwa and another person only identified as Chinthenda.

The opposition MPs, who walked out of Parliament following disagreements on the alleged abduction of Cdedi executive director Namiwa and Chinthenda, held a press briefing at Parliament Building where they demanded that Sendeza should resign.

DPP spokesperson on Legal Affairs in Parliament Bright Msaka said Sendeza is not fit for the position.

“I should say here that the Minister of Homeland Security is not supposed to be in that position,” he said.

Msaka added that if the current leadership is not ready to adapt to democracy in leading the country, then they are not fit to lead and should step down.

On his part, Mulanje Bale MP Victor Musowa also claimed that Sendeza is incompetent and must step down.

Acting leader of opposition Nicholas Dausi said it is the duty of police to protect every person and wondered why Sendeza supported people moving around with pangas.

“I wonder why the same minister says the abduction was staged but also says police are investigating the matter,” he said.

Dausi feared that democracy is on the death bed with what is happening.

But in an interview later, Sendeza said she cannot step down just because some people were brandishing pangas in the streets.

“They are just emotional. It don’t think that is a matter that somebody can step down for,” she said.

However, the minister made a U-turn, saying government does not condone carrying of offensive weapons as it shows lawlessness, adding she understands that the people were protecting their property.

While responding to a question from Mulanje South West MP George Chaponda on the alleged abduction of Namiwa, Sendeza accused the DPP of staging the abduction. 

She also accused the DPP of transporting people from Thyolo District to take part in the demonstrations.