Islamic Group Demands Speaker’s Resignation

By: Lackson Kanyoza

Islamic Commission for Justice and Freedom (ICJF) has asked the speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya to step down for abuse of office.

Speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre, ICJF Chairman Shaibu Abdulaman Jasi says the speaker should choose one position either to be a speaker of parliament or Malawi Congress Party vice President.

“We organised this meeting so that we should condemn what the speaker is doing. What he did to protect Jessie Kabwira using a parliamentary vehicle was irresponsible. He (Msowoya) knows what Kabwira did. So why should he decide to protect her? He must resign.

” This shows us that the speaker has breached the law. Instead of serving the nation he is biased. He is taking, acting and standing on the MCP side when he is supposed to be neutral. Therefore he must choose either being a speaker and resign the position of vice President or continue with the role of vice president but he should step down as a speaker,” Jasi explained.

Jasi further told the press that Msowoya should follow the examples of former speakers of parliament who resigned from their roles and concentrated only on one position.

“He should always remember his position is very important. It’s one of the biggest offices under the Chief Justice, President and Executive arms of government. So he should follow what other previous speakers did.”

He cited that Speakers Louis Chimango, Sam Mpasu and Chimunthu Banda resigned from their position in their political parties to concentrate on their role as speaker of parliament.

Recent reports claims that the speaker used his car to protect Kabwira who was being hunted by the police over a whatsup conversation of which she was accused of plotting to overthrow the Peter Mutharika administration.

However, speaking to a local media Msowoya denied the reports saying Kabwira did not use the parliamentary car to escape.