Misunderstanding over dressing in Parliament

Chaos ensued in Parliament yesterday when three legislators dressed differently from their colleagues despite a waiver on Tuesday that allowed them to dress in golf shirts on Wednesday in line with the Anti-Corruption Day commemorations by Parliament.

It started with the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Aisha Adams picking out member of Parliament (MP) for Machinga Likwenu Bright Msaka (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP), saying he looked like an alien in the House.

In his response, Msaka said after the anti-corruption event, he had gone to freshen up and changed his clothes.

Adams said she understood Msaka as he was profusely sweating during the march, causing uproar in the House and subsequently, disrupting the debate on the Tobacco Industrialisation Bill.

She later ordered all those not wearing the themed golf shirt, including Msaka, Chitipa East MP Kezzie Msukwa (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) and Thyolo Thava MP Mary Navicha (DPP)to move out of the august House.

Said Adams: “Chitipa East, may you go out and get your golf shirt from the information desk. I will not allow you to resume your seat, go and get the golf shirt.”

Msukwa tried to defend his dressing, but some were heard chanting atuluke atuluke (may he move out). n

Sanity returned in the House when the three MPs moved out to change into golf shirts.