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| National |
| MPs ready to be scrutinised by Maneb |
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by
Edwin Nyirongo, 15 July 2006
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05:26:55
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Some MPs say they are ready to allow the Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) to scrutinise their certificates to put to rest reports that most of them have got fake certificates.
This comes after complaints from some people, especially members from the opposition and civil society, that government was selective in prosecuting MPs with fake certificates by targeting those in opposition sparing the ones supporting government.
Billy Mayaya of Blantyre CCAP Synod’s Church and Society said there are some MPs in Parliament whose certificates need to be scrutinised by Maneb.
“The drive to stamp out fake certificates should not only target civil servants but should extend to Parliament because every person is equal and some people in the August House need such scrutiny,” he said.
Mzuzu University political analyst Noel Mbowela said there have been a lot of speculation about the authenticity of some MPs’ certificates which need to be verified.
Mbowela noted that justice has sometimes been selective to the extent that only certificates of those in the opposition were being scrutinised for political reasons and to avoid misconceptions, Maneb should check certificates of all MPs.
But some MPs have welcomed the idea. Chitipa North MP Nick Masebo said the idea would help put people in right positions. He said MPs, as law makers, should be honest.
Zizwa Munthali, MP for Rumphi West, said the scrutiny will also clear him because some people believe he had a fake certificate.
Berson Lijenda of Zomba Ntonya also supported the idea of scrutinising certificates for all MPs to settle claims that government is only targeting opposition members.
Steven Malamba of Nsanje Lalanje said the idea is good for the image of the House but said the exercise should done in consultation with the Speaker’s office.
Maneb boss Matthews Matemba said they only go to check certificates where they have been invited.
“Parliament has not invited us to do the job. If we are invited, there is nothing to stop us,” he said.
Matemba said sometimes they go to some places to check certificates when there is an expression of concern but warned that such concerns should not be aimed at scoring political points.
Speaker Louis Chimango said he has no problems with the idea if it could come from the MPs. Chimango said he does not scrutinise MPs papers but just receive what he has been given by the Electoral Commission.
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