Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tom Sangala
Published on 2024-04-04 07:35:03
Mark Botomani is the protagonist of this article, he is a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker who found himself in a heated confrontation with another DPP member, Sameer Suleman, during a parliamentary session. The incident occurred in full view of students from Chisowo Primary School in Lilongwe City, who were left shocked by the altercation. This confrontation escalated to the point where the two lawmakers had to be separated by their colleagues.
The root cause of the conflict was a motion proposed by Werani Chilenga, a lawmaker from Chitipa South, regarding setting a maximum age limit for individuals seeking key political positions in Malawi such as the State President and Members of Parliament. Suleman engaged Chilenga during a tea break to discuss the withdrawal of the bill, leading to the altercation with Botomani. As a result of their behavior, Suleman was banned from Parliament for one sitting, while Botomani received a two-day ban.
The Leader of the House, Richard Chimwendo Banda, expressed disappointment over the conduct of the two lawmakers, emphasizing the need for parliamentarians to display honorable behavior that instills trust in the Malawian people. He described the incident as embarrassing and urged his fellow members to uphold a higher standard of conduct while representing their constituents.
Mary Navicha, the DPP Leader in the House, deemed the age limit bill as unnecessary at the moment, emphasizing that there are more pressing issues that parliamentarians should be addressing. She highlighted the importance of discussing critical matters that impact Malawians instead of focusing on the age limit issue.
Ian Mwenye, the Parliament spokesperson, mentioned that the Business Committee was yet to deliberate on Chilenga’s Private Member’s motion. This indicates that the fate of the proposed age limit bill is still uncertain and pending further discussion within the parliamentary body.
The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with holding public office and the importance of conducting oneself with dignity and respect in the legislative chambers. The clash between Suleman and Botomani underscores the need for lawmakers to prioritize the interests of their constituents and engage in constructive dialogue to address pressing issues affecting the country. As the political landscape evolves in Malawi, it is crucial for parliamentarians to focus on issues that promote the well-being and progress of the nation.
Read the original article on The Times
