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| National |
| Parties have powers to fire MPs—House |
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by
Bright Sonani and Rabecca Theu, 24 May 2005
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14:18:35
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Parliament has said political parties have the mandate to revoke membership of MPs in various committees or even in international bodies such as the Pan African Parliament.
UDF last week announced a reshuffle of MPs in various committees in the House.
The party has also fired its Zomba Likangala MP Callista Chimombo from the Pan African Parliament days after MCP also fired its former Secretary General Kate Kainja from Public Appointments and Education Committees, a move which attracted criticisms from gender activists.
But Clerk of Parliament Roosevelt Gondwe said on Monday changing representation in parliamentary committees or any other forum was the business of the parties concerned.
“They are allowed under the rules of the House to say we put that person there, as a party we are now putting another member,” he said.
Reacting to Kainja’s removal last week, gender activists criticised the MCP of breaching Parliamentary Standing Order 142 (3) which they said gives powers to the whole House to remove committee members.
Kainja herself was quoted in the media on Monday as saying that it was only members of her committee who have powers to remove her.
However, Gondwe commenting on Section 142 (3) of the Standing Orders said: “There is no magic in what you are asking. The party tells the Speaker that we are removing our membership and we are giving you Mr X. When the House meet the same party rises and says we have changed our membership in such a committee. This is for the information of the House.”
Gondwe also confirmed having received letters from some parties which have changed representatives in various committees.
“The seats are the party’s and it is their business to change representatives,” added Gondwe in reaction to whether the UDF has powers to revoke Chimombo’s membership.
Malawi has four seats in the Pan African Parliament which is based in Cape Town, South Africa. The seats have been allocated to four parties—the UDF, MCP, Aford and Republican Party.
UDF Chief Whip Leonard Mangulama said Chimombo has been replaced following her pronouncements in the papers that she is no longer part of UDF.
“She has been replaced by an equally capable woman but I cannot disclose the name now,” said Mangulama.
MCP Chief Whip Betson Majoni said Kainja was removed to save her from more resignations after each disagreement with the party, adding she told the world that she had resigned as Secretary General because the MCP did not support Police boss Mary Nangwale’s confirmation.
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