Tired with the rude innuendos and remarks from the Malawi Government benches, Chitipa North MP Nick Masebo on Tuesday pleaded with Leader of the House Henry Phoya to discipline some ministers who ridicule opposition legislators.
Masebo said this in his contribution to the 2013/14 budget proposal after Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ulemu Chilapondwa, told Ntcheu South MP Damson Chimalira that if he wanted a better understanding of what he explained, he should meet him outside to translate into Chichewa.
His call came after Chilapondwa was explaining, a point relating to his ministry, which Chimalira raised in his contribution to the debate.
“Mr Speaker sir, I want to urge Leader of the House to discipline his ministers, who keep on demeaning the opposition. I implore you to discipline your ministers for demeaning the decorum of this House,” said an angry Masebo.
Initially, Second Deputy Speaker Juliana Mphande took it casually and ruled that the point has been sustained, but the opposition could not take it, urging the Speaker to ask Chilapondwa to withdraw the remarks. In the end, Chilapondwa withdrew his remarks.
During his contribution, Chimalira pointed out that despite the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) being hailed as a success, there are some people, who still hold coupons.
He also raised concerns over the rotten maize at the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA).
“I don’t know whether government was aware that people were buying maize at K11 000 [about $27.50] per bag while others slept at Admarc depots, yet some maize was rotting in the silos,” said Chimalira.
However, Minister of Local Government Grace Maseko asked MPs, who stood on point of order, said those with coupons should bring them into the House as evidence.
