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New MPs sworn-in, police block MCP supporters

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Three new members of Parliament (MPs), all affiliated to the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), were sworn in yesterday during a function that saw police officers blocking MCP supporters from entering Parliament Building premises.

The MPs are Sosten Gwengwe (Lilongwe Msozi North), Ulemu Msungama (Lilongwe City South East) and Lawrence Sitolo (Nsanje Lalanje). They arrived at Parliament Building aboard an opened-topped Axa double-deck shuttle which they rode from Bunda Turn-Off passing through Lilongwe City en route to Parliament.

Chimwendo-Banda (L) negotiating with the police at
the entrance to Parliament Building

The procession was at a standstill for over 30 minutes as MCP legislators, notably Richard Chimwendo Banda and Khumbize Chiponda, negotiated for the entry of the supporters clad in MCP colours.

The police later allowed the three legislators entry, but vehemently denied the supporters entry.

Inside the Parliament chamber, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, who administered the oaths, reminded the new legislators to uphold the rule of law and protect the Constitution.

In an interview later, MCP deputy secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka said his party was surprised by the conduct of Malawi Police Service in barring its supporters from entry. He said their conduct was suspicious.

The new MPs won the by-elections held on October 17 where MCP took three parliamentary seats and two wards while the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) got a ward  in Mayani North in Dedza.

Parliament opens this morning for the first meeting of the 47th Session. President Peter Mutharika is scheduled to open. n

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One Comment

  1. What do you expect from a Muhlako wa Alomwe infested police force? Many sensible Malawians lost trust in this so called Malawi police force ages ago………
    Expect more of this during the 2019 general elections….you have been warned.
    Some time back, we had Moses Kuchingale impersonating an electoral commission official, did the police arrest him……no….why well becoz he was acting under orders from the powers that be.
    A few weeks back we had a Kaiya dude flashing his pistol at a rally , was he arrested… well kind of just to fool the general public…but was then let lose till today because the police claims they can’t trace where the gun is…..can anyone believe this bull shit?
    That’s the Malawian police for you…………..thrown to the dogs

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