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Malawi’s Deputy Minister of Transport James Chikwenga and Lilongwe Mapuyu MP Joseph Njovuyelama (Malawi Congress Party) on Thursday took off jackets and as they were about to roll up their sleeves to trade punches right inside the House, other members restrained them quickly and proceedings were immediately suspended for lunch break.
The confusion did not spare Second Deputy Speaker Betson Majoni, who completely lost hold of the House when he chose to make an announcement of the visitors in the House instead of listening to Clerk of Parliament Roosevelt Gondwe, who could be heard through the speakers advising him just to suspend the proceedings to avert more trouble.
Njovuyalema, who had to be restrained from walking over from his bench towards the government side by, among other MPs, deputy leader of opposition Peter Chiwona, was incensed by Chikwenga’s open defiance towards Majoni when the deputy speaker asked the deputy minister to withdraw an “unparliamentary statement”.
Protesting against what he saw as Majoni’s failure to give an opportunity to government benches and other opposition MPs who wanted to rebut some allegations made by some members as they debated the public accounts committee report, Chikwenga said the House’s presiding officers were intimidating and gagging MPs.
“I wish to state in this House that all of us were elected into here. But you are using that chair to intimidate and threaten us. You started this yesterday. Why are you treating us unfairly?” a visibly irked Chikwenga protested.
The previous day the presiding officer was the Speaker himself, Davis Katsonga. He also never allowed any interjections unless the member making them justified doing so by citing a standing order.
“The chair is not threatening any member. We only do this to ensure orderly behaviour in the House. So could you withdraw what you have said,” demanded Majoni.
Chikwenga declined: “I will only withdraw if you also withdraw your threats to us.” The House degenerated into unprecedented noise of cheers, protests, whistling, ululations and laughing.
When Majoni failed to make Chikwenga oblige, government chief whip George Mtafu walked towards Chikwenga and was overheard asking the deputy minister to withdraw the statement unconditionally. Chikwenga obliged.
Instead of just accepting the withdrawal, Majoni caused fresh problems by declaring: “You are lucky, Honourable deputy minister.” The declaration caused more uproar.
Njovuyalema was on his feet: “The behaviour of the honourable deputy minister is very unacceptable and outrageous. Does he think he is powerful and strong because he is hugely built. There are people who are stronger than him. I can sort him out”
Majoni asked Njovuyalema to sit down. The MP responded by taking off his jacket and started ranting at Chikwenga who in turn also took off his jacket.
The House went down into theatrical scenes, seeing members struggling to prevent the two parliamentarians getting at each other.
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