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Judge Chimwamasana observed last week that there is life, alcohol and even better entertainment of all sorts outside Ndirande’s KSG club. He was convinced, after the visit to the northern city of Mzuzu, that Ngomimba in Chibavi and Mlambe in Luwinga were hot spots in their own right and there is no reason why an individual should stick to one pub or thing.
This trend of thought made the judge wonder why some state presidents who successfully serve their constitutional terms seem to imagine that there is no life outside a state house. In essence, former presidents can enjoy life after office if all the trappings of power, like free security and house, were removed from them. Only then would they appreciate the daily rigours of life that also make interesting challenges to overcome.
KSG was filled to capacity and the patrons, or call them customers if you like, wanted to hear what Chimwamasana thought about the tension caused by President Bingu wa Mutharika’s continued shadow boxing with UDF chair Bakili Muluzi.
The judge told his drink-mates that it was apparent that the UDF chair was uncomfortable with what the man he chose to succeed him as ruler of this country was hinting at every opportune moment. All the time Muluzi gives the impression that Mutharika is planning to nab him.
Just last week in Thyolo, Mutharika displayed on the podium the bicycle riding tricks he had perfected in his youth. He did this when he dramatised Muluzi’s favourite saying that whoever is riding on the bicycle carrier should leave the steering controls—handlebars, bell and all, to the one in the saddle.
The judge reminded the KSG faithful, who promised to e-mail their friends in Mzuzu, that Mutharika claimed he could sometimes suddenly apply the brakes of his bicycle while in full speed and deliberately lose his passenger.
It was this cycling move that worried Muluzi most. One thing that was clear, the judge reasoned, is that Muluzi knew Mutharika is in control of the political bicycle and could stop abruptly and leave him on the surface of the road.
But all this friction between the two pre-election buddies—Muluzi and Mutharika—could end amicably if they accepted their new roles in their society and country, according to Chimwamasana. Muluzi must understand that there is life out of the palace. And Mutharika should realise that Malawians are not going to judge him by his bicycle riding antics but rather on development projects.
Meanwhile, the judge rejoiced, the pubs would continue to open hallelujah!
Then KSG clients wanted to know more about the recent sitting of parliament from the judge’s point of view. The two-and-a-half-weeks of loafing and little deliberation by MPs cost the drunken KSG taxpayer and others close to K51 million.
In fact, during that period, barman Wendewende religiously switched on Television Malawi every evening for the patrons to follow what their elected representatives were doing at the National Assembly. It was excellent beaming punctuated by a few honourable fights.
The rejection of Police Inspector General Mary Nangwale by Parliament and her seeking an injunction in the courts provided canon fodder for the judge’s second round of discussions with his fellow patrons.
This, by the judge’s reasoning, was a real test for the relationship between Parliament and the courts. Parliament, until this issue cropped up, believed its decisions were final and could not be challenged by the other arms of government—judiciary and executive. MPs were heard questioning why those outside the institution should challenge their verdicts.
However, the honourables were reminded of how some of them were saved by the judiciary after being thrown out by their colleagues. The career of the Leader of Opposition John Tembo nearly ended prematurely when he was charged with contempt of court but the courts reasonably ruled in his favour and there he is still on the benches.
The judge saw that the main problem with MPs was greed. They always wanted to make laws that suited them. To most of them the job was simply a means to getting rich quickly not serving constituents.
Chimwamasana was glad that the judiciary did not cower away from the charges by MPs by sustaining its injunction and ordering a judicial review. Perhaps, the best model of democracy can be found in pubs where the greedy get too drunk and lose cell phones while those who drink with principle walk home safely to quarrel with their wives.
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