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Rights body to discipline Khwauli
By
Joseph Langa - 01-08-2002 |
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Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has set up a three-member committee to discipline one of their board members Karonga Nyungwe MP Khwauli Msiska (Aford) for contravening the organisation’s mandate by introducing in Parliament a private members bill which the organisation rejected.
The three, all board members, are Paul Munyenyembe from Sadc biodiversity project, John So Phiri from Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre and Mc Bain Kanongoza from the Malawi Red Cross Society.
CHRR executive director Ollen Mwalubunju said board members set up the committee during their meeting, which Khwauli did not attend, on July 20.
According to Mwalubunju other members of the board include Malawi Carer executive director Vera Chirwa, Zimbabwe High Commissioner Tugilane Chizumila, Supreme Court Judge Justice Anastazia Msosa, businessman William Mbisa and retired diplomat Kapote Mwakasungula.
“CHRR has a code of conduct which includes that a member should not contravene the organisation’s mandate. CHRR opposed the bill because it was
threatening democracy,” he said.
He said the eight board members present at the meeting failed to decide on the issue because the MP was not there. They feel they should hear his side.
“As a human rights body we couldn’t make the decision that time because we thought the MP has the right to be heard. Depending on the board’s decision and the MP’s response, he might lose his position on board,” Mwalubunju said.
In a separate interview yesterday, Khwauli while saying he was ignorant of the disciplinary committee, confirmed that he did not attend the board meeting because he was attending to a sick relative.
“I didn’t attend that meeting but I don’t know anything about the committee and the impending disciplinary action on me. I am still a board member but I failed to attend the meeting because I went to see my sick cousin,” he said.
But Khwauli backed his stand, saying he saw nothing wrong in introducing the open terms bill and the committee is welcome to discuss that with him.
Mwalubunju said the board thought the bill, apart from threatening democracy, was not done in the best interest of the people. |
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