MP’s digression disrupts debate

Member of Parliament (MP) for Mzimba Hora, Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira on Wednesday caused chaos in the National Assembly when he rebuffed the Deputy Speaker’s order to stop debating after the end of his allocated time.

Ngwira, who also attracted contrary opinions to the matter on the table, kept moving from one mike to the other while shouting on top of his voice.

The legislators were debating Bill 34 of 2016: National Parks and Wildlife Amendment which contains suggestions aimed at strengthening laws as regards to protection and promotion of the country’s wildlife and national parks.

But Ngwira went off-track and questioned the House as to how long the country would continue electing presidents from the Southern Region.

“We are dealing with amendments and as a House, why don’t we amend the Constitution that presidential seats should be rotational based on the regions we have. I don’t think it is applicable and democratic to be having presidents from one region as this contributes to nepotism,” he said.

Ngwira’s sentiments brought laughter in the House, with some legislators failing to appreciate what he was saying and relate it to the topic under discussion.

First Deputy Speaker Esther Chilenje was forced to remind Ngwira about the issue at hand.

“Honourable member, we are debating Bill 34 and would you please concentrate on that,” she said.

Despite the Deputy Speaker’s intervention, Ngwira kept interrupting debate, forcing Chilenje to warn him.

“I will invoke Standing Order 105,” Chilenje warned.

Part of the standing order gives the Speaker the power to send out of the House any member who shows rudeness to authority and distracts debate. n