Youth organisation bashes Parliament on vehicles

Civil Society Youth Consortium (CSYC) has asked Parliament to stop using the K300 million worth of vehicles it bought.

Malawi News of October 24-30 reported that Parliament bought four vehicles worth K300 million for Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya, his two deputies Esther Mcheka-Chilenje and Clement Chiwaya and Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera.

Msowoya reportedly defended the purchase, which comes at a time the country’s economy is poor, saying they are used for discharging their duties.

But in a statement issued on Thursday, CSYC called the purchasing of the cars ‘an obscene immorality and impudence’ coming at a time the country is in dire economic situation.

The youth organisation also condemned Msowoya for his remarks.

“Comments by the speaker saying ‘do you want us to walk’ are just as insulting as they are rude. His office and that of Leader of Opposition are furnished with more than one car which means work cannot stop just because they have failed to use new expensive vehicles,” said the statement.

CSYC also condemned Malawi Congress Party (MCP) for claiming that the vehicles were bought last year when the economy was good.

“Wasn’t it the same last year that President Peter Muthalika denied any increment on his benefits due to what he termed a lean economy? This action by the President should inform us all, MCP inclusive, that there was room for Chakwera and Msowoya to take initiative and stop this obscene expenditure,” reads the statement.

In an interview, CSYC chairperson John Thawe wondered whether Parliament was considerate in purchasing the vehicles when people are dying in hospitals due to lack of drugs.