MP dared on financial mismanagement claims
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo has ordered Blantyre City South East legislator Sameer Suleman to provide evidence for his allegations that Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda mismanaged Global Fund money.
Standing on a point of order yesterday, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party parliamentarian alleged that the public purse was not safe in the hands of Chithyola Banda.
Said Suleman: “A whole Minister of Finance, who needs donor confidence right now in that position, is being accused of mismanaging Global Fund funding. And whenever you are caught stealing and you give back, it means you are a thief.”
Kazombo on several occasions tried to restrain the legislator, but Suleman ignored the interventions.
In defence of the minister, Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda said Chithyola Banda was a credible member of Parliament (MP) and that if he had committed an offence he would have been convicted.
He accused Suleman of a habit of destroying other people’s characters.
Said Chimwendo Banda: “You know the rules, if he is a convict, why is he here? Let us not speak with emotions trying to destroy other people’s lives just because you are excited.”
In his determination, Kazombo ordered Suleman to bring evidence against the Minister of Finance by 2pm today.
Kazombo also asked the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament to come up with resolutions that would help address issues of character assassination.
He requested the committee to look into the issue after Dedza South MP Ishmael Onani (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) expressed worry that MPs tarnish other people’s images in the House and get away with it.
In his response, Chithyola Banda said he will not be distracted by character assassination, but he will remain focused to serve as minister.
Speaking in an interview, Legal Affairs Committee chairperson Albert Mbawala said the committee is reviewing standing orders and it may include measures for punishing MPs that tarnish the image of others without evidence.
In its investigation report dated June 16 2021, the Global Fund alleged that Chinansi Foundation, a Balaka-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that was headed by Chithyola Banda, abused $70 572 and $9 924 (about K65 million).
