MPs sworn in, parliament to meet Monday

The first day for the newly elected MPs who came to be sworn in today was not without drama as old grudges resulting from the just ended disputed and hotly contested elections reared its ugliness when supporters of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who were denied entry into the Parliament building for dressing in party cloths insulted and jostled at MPs for ruling DPP.Scenes outside the Parliament chambers marred what was otherwise the beginning of a colourful event for those who were allowed into the galleries and Parliament lobby to witness their elected leaders taking oath of office.

Among those who faced the wrath of MCP supporters was MP for Mulanje South and comedian Bon ‘Winiko’ Kalindo who had to be rescued from being pushed and shoved as he ascended the steps to the Parliament building.

DPP secretary general Jean Kalirani who has retained the Dowa Central constituency had to walk with dignity up the steps amidst chants of ‘wakuba! wakuba!’ (thief in Chichewa) from MCP cloth clad people outside chanted.

As expected, MCP president Lazarus Chakwera received the most vocal support inside the Parliament chamber and at the lobby where people were viewing the ceremony through big screens.

As he walked to the front to take the oath of office and oath of allegiance, party supporters in the gallery chanted ‘boma! boma!’ perhaps failure to accept that their candidate came second on the presidential poll.

MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said their supporters came to Parliament to escort their party president but also for the members whose vote was stolen to their displeasure.

However, Chakwera was given a ceremonial ‘red carpet’ as he exited the Parliament Buildings when the MCP supporters laid down party cloths from the door to the stairs where shook hands of his supporters accompanied by his wife and MCP vice president Richard Msowoya.

In an interview outside, Chakwera said his role as a member of Parliament would be to make laws that would benefit Malawians and he would continue to speak for poor and needy.

–Swearing in–

A section of new Members of Parliament today swore before God to well and truly to serve the Republic of Malawi while doing right to all manner of people in accordance with the laws of manner and without fear or favour.

Among the faces in the new Parliament includes a son of a former president Roy Kachale Banda who was fourth to be sworn in, former wife to a former president Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri and comedian Bon ‘Winiko’ Kalindo.

This Parliament will also have a wife and husband team of Patricia and Angie Dishon Kaliati, two Malawians of origins from Israel in David Bisnowaty and Dutch woman, Jacquilin Kouvenho, who both won as independent candidates.

–numbers in the house–

Todays the swearing-in of new parliamentarians took place in the [Parliament] chamber from 9am to noon, but the orientation or training will take place from June 11 to 13.”

With President Peter Mutharika’s Thyolo East Constituency automatically becoming vacant after he took the oath of office as Head of State last Saturday, and parliamentary elections yet to be held in Blantyre North Constituency, only 191 MPs will be sworn in by Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa.

In the new Parliament, there are 52 independent MPs, 49 for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), 48 for Malawi Congress Party (MCP), 26 for People’s Party (PP), 14 for United Democratic Front (UDF) and one each for Alliance for Democracy (Aford) and Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP).