In the thick of state sponsored corruption

The executive, legislature and judiciary are the three important branches interwoven into the framework of our democracy. Their roles being well recognized and distinct, the question of executive meddling in the affairs of the legislature and judiciary should not even arise. The legislature and judiciary are the two independent bodies acting as pillars on which our democracy is based. Any conflict from the executive on these two arms would bring down the structure
of democracy.

The legislature must show that it is proficient and autonomous to handle its own issues. By succumbing to the merciless capricious whims of the executive branch to flout judicial rulings and legislature control of its sitting calendar is a sign of gross interference in their operations. This being the case in Malawi democracy, the executive influence has generated an ambiance of animosity and suspicion with an image of being devotee and biased.

The judiciary has been acted well as a watchdog for any branch of law or conduct of members of parliament though to the chagrin of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Parliament has to function within the framework of the Constitution. The parliamentarians or anyone hard done by who is a Malawian member of parliament has a right to appeal to the judiciary against any decree passed by Parliament. But you do not appeal before the verdict has been passed.

The news that the Speaker of the national assembly has been bribed is the most scandalous thing we have heard this year. However, I am not surprised at all. Past experiences are clear that when the President is cornered, he can stoop so low to engage in anything that will save his presidency. It is only in Malawi where the wholesale President will instruct a guard to switch off the lights in the Parliament building in order to disrupt the deliberations and embrace the most disgusting mercenaries (Alistair Graham Minnaar formerly of Executive Outcomes is a case in point) to save his political power cravings.

The Speaker of National Assembly is supposed to be a very important and serious man and Chimango as a principled person was suited to this position but the power of money and “blind loyalty” to the executive has made him to be out of touch.

Speaker is not supposed to have any liaisons with the President or any Party. By allowing his daughter to work for the President’s daughter, the Speaker has compromised his position. No wonder there are allegations that his wife has been bragging about the US$50,000 he got from the President as a way of buying his co-operation on the Section 65 matter.

When the Supreme Court of Appeal crystalised the interpretation of Section 65, one would have thought that the Speaker was going to give his explanation to parliamentarians especially all parties went frenzy with petitions galore culminated by the court injunction.

Somehow, the Speaker has chosen to keep mum on this matter hence throwing the whole honourable house into a pre-boxing match press conference. It should be noted that with the ruling, government is sinking to the nethermost ebb day by day with political gaffes arising from the executive as it clings to a falling house. They will go down fighting the dirtiest of battles in modern political history.

Elsewhere, the Speaker of the national assembly has the responsibility to clamor for people's intervention to deal with corrupt members of Parliament this includes the MPs who selfishly cross the floor. The reasoning being that the society should impose punishment on corrupt parliamentarians. Unfortunately, the reverse is true in Malawi; the Speaker is the champion of corruption. How does an entire Speaker sell his morality for US$50, 000?

After the Particia Kaliati debacle in Dubai, we thought that lessons were learnt and that for some time we were going to focus our minds on something very different and nationally productive. Our bruised minds deserve better. But alas! The shindig continues. The very President who has always talked so highly about his fight against corruption has now joined the “mob” in the palm oiling business. Indeed as Henry Mussa bragged to the chiefs in Chiradzulu district, nothing will be done.

To all Malawians this is the time to be more aware of what is happening in Parliament before it is too late. Malawians should not let the rogue MPs get away with immorality and selfishness. We have been taken for a roller-coaster ride for too long.

The Bishops as custodians of social justice should start talking now and if these allegations of corruption are true then the Speaker must resign and an independent body must investigate this issue. Amen!