Speaker of the National Assembly demands assurance from Government of the immunity to himself and all legislatures and adjourns the House till tomorrow at 2 pm following springs of arrests Government is making to members of Parliament.
The early adjournment of the house followed a heated debate following a motion from Lilongwe North East legislature who requested the house to suspend proceedings for the house to deliberate on the privilege of members.
The motion came following arrests of two Malawi Congress Party officials and legislatures, Peter Chakhwantha and Jessie Kabwila on allegations of treason following a Whitsapp conversation. The parliamentarian said such arrests are bleach of members privileges and feared that this could happen to anyone.
Ruling after house resumed sitting after an hour of house suspension, Speaker Richard Msowoya expressed his concern that there are arrests of MPs yet the house had assured the members of their immunity following reports that on yesterday there was a roadblock mounted by police just outside of the Parliament Building.
He mentioned that just like all members of Parliament are afraid of being targeted, he himself is afraid.
He therefore ruled that until such a time Government will come and assure the Speaker and the Whole House of their immunity, he adjourns the House till Wednesday at 2pm.
The ruling brought an uproar in the house with discontent from Government side and jeering from opposition members.
There were also exchanging of words as the members were leaving the House.
However, Government Leader of Businesses, Francis Kasaila rubbished the ruling saying the speaker as head of an executive arm of Government was in better position to assure the House of members immunity.
Kasaila further said Speaker was also supposed to consult with heads of Government and hot rush to make such a ruling.
He made it clear that there is no any other assurance that Government could make since the matter at hand is to do with Treason which does not give immunity to any member and that police can effect an arrest at any time.
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