MCP Legislators Boycott Parliamentary Deliberations

By Dean Chisambo……..

Some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislators on Tuesday boycotted parliamentary deliberations following a heated debate over the Amaryllis Hotel deal report, which they insisted should be tabled in Parliament the same day.

Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Nsinja Constituency, Francis Balakanyama, rose in the August House alleging that some individuals are receiving money from parties involved in the hotel deal. However, the Deputy First Speaker dismissed the claims and directed Balakanyama to withdraw the statement, noting that the report has not yet been released by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), as some individuals are still expected to appear before the committee.

Lilongwe Phirilanjuzi legislator, Peter Dimba, maintained that the matter deserved immediate debate in the House. But Leader of the House, Jappie Mhango, insisted that the report would not be tabled until all relevant individuals have been interviewed.

The disagreement prompted MCP legislators to stage a walkout in protest against the government’s stance. Those who walked out included Peter Dimba, Francis Balakanyama, Lawrence Chaziya, Moses Kunkuyu, and Monica Chang’anamuno.

However, MCP’s Leader of Opposition, Simplex Chithyola Banda, alongside Joshua Malango, Antony Masamba, and Skeffa Chimoto, remained in the chamber and continued participating in the deliberations.

Parliament later resumed sitting after a health break, with a noticeably reduced presence of MCP legislators.