Kaliati Ordered Out Of Parliament Chamber

Speaker of the National Assembly has ordered Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati to get out of chamber for calling clerk officers by their names.

Patricia Kaliati was forced to get out of Parliament chambers for calling by name one of the parliamentary clerks who sit closer to speaker.

Speaker of Malawi National Assembly, Richard Msowoya was forced to invoke Standing Order 105 to the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare for failure to comply with first warning made by the speaker that no member shall again call the clerks.

After ordering her out of the chamber the speaker told house that Hon Kaliati continued to call one of the clerks by name against the order.

In an interview with Power 101 Kaliati said the decision by the speaker was personal and political

Kaliati is expected back in the House on Friday 

Her eviction came when the House was debating on the Private Members' Business motion from Honorable Member for Lilongwe South West.

The motion which has been passed was asking the House to allow amendment to Section 5 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act be drafted forthwith and presented for consideration in the House by the mover of the Motion in liaison with the relevant competent experts before the end of the meeting to provide for the appointment of both the Director and Deputy Director by the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament based on merit and through an open recruitment process and that the Director be reporting and answerable to Parliament through the Public appointments Committee.

The legislature said this is in order to ensure total independence and tenure of office of the Director and Deputy Director of the Anti Corruption Bureau ACB.

House To Debate Motion On Industrial Hemp Legalization

Legislature for Ntchisi North, Boniface Kadzamira is expected to make history on Thursday 25th February, 2016 as he is expected for the first time to move a motion in the National Assembly which is asking Government to legalise and allow cultivation of Industrial Hemp.

His motion is listed among three motions appearing on Order Paper begining Wednesday under Private Members Business earmarked for Thursday business.

The Motion Reads; “That considering the enormous economic, medical and nutritional value industrial hemp has, this House resolves that Government should legalise the growing and usage of Industrial Hemp and that both at policy and legislation levels, Industrial Hemp must be recognized appropriately as an agricultural cash crop for industrial distinct from other cannabis varieties”

Speaking in an interview, Kadzamira said he wants this matter to be debated in the House; passed and the motion adopted so that Government should start to look again at laws which prohibits the cultivation of the hemp.

“I want to emphasies that Industrial Hemp is not Chamba, it is like Chibuku beer and Thobwa. So Industial Hemp cannot be smoked” he said

The cash crop, is the sister plant to marijuana but health experts say it won't get one high when one attempt to smoke it because athough hemp and marijuana are both from the cannabis species, hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.) Its THC level is less than 1%, whereas marijuana may contain between 5 - 15%.

Industrial Hemp seeds are pressed for oil that can be used for food including salad dressings, supplements, among others and industrial lubrication, diesel fuel, paints, varnishes and many more.

Legislature Kadzamira Says Industrial Hemp Can Save Forests

Ntchisi North Legislature continues to advocate for the legalization of Industrial Hemp, through the National Assembly following Wednesday’s remarks that the best answer to the accelerating depletion of trees and forests in the country due to charcoal burning industry and need for wood and timber is to start cultivation of Industrial Hemp.

Kadzamira

Honorable Kadzamira remarks on Wednesday came when contributing to the debate in the House on the Report of the Delegation to the 3rd Inter-Parliamentary Hearing on Exemplary Forest Policies in Africa held in Nairobi, Kenya from 30th September to 3rd October, 2014 by the Honorable member for Chitipa South

Honorable Kadzamira told house that the country will reduce the need to cut down of forests once people begins substituting hemp fiberboard for timber and that a decent income to be realized from cultivation of the cash crop also will help poor families from cutting down trees as means to earn a living.

“We have tried everything but we are not solving the problem” said Kadzamira in an interview after his contribution in the House, “I was suggesting that we can use communities around mountains and forests to engage them in Industrial Hemp farming because advantage of Industrial Hemp is that we can make a lot of products from Industrial Hemp.”

Garments made from Industrial Hemp

“Our forests are depleting because people are just cutting down trees in order to earn a living; to sell charcoal and wood for a living. So I was saying we can protect our forests if we engage communities around the forests into Industrial Hemp for farming. 

This Industrial Hemp can be used for paper, wood, fibre, and for everything. In that way people will stop wantonly cutting down trees, because they will have something to use in order to earn a living. I was putting across a suggestion to government to employ that measure.” He said 

As measures to replenish the environment through re-forestation and more awareness of importance of planting and protecting trees are underway, on the other hand poor families are increasingly cutting down trees and invading forests in order to get wood, timber and burn charcoal to earns them little income.

These varieties of products were made from hemp

With incessant wanton cutting down of trees in Malawi for charcoal, wood and timber, mostly by vulnerable poor families to earn a living, Industrial Hemp seem to be the viable solution because the hemp which is also a cash crop can be used to obtain same products made from trees and other wide range of durable construction materials and health products.

If Malawians begin to grow the hemp as cash crop, farmers will earn good income and save the trees because there is likelihood that this will lead to establishment of more manufacturing industries that will use the crop to produce wide range of products.

Industrial hemp is known for quality products including: all types of paper products from tissue paper to cardboards; food made from the hemp seeds which contain a protein that is more nutritious; Hemp seed oil can be used to produce non-toxic diesel fuel, paint, varnish, detergent, ink and lubricating oil and the list is endless.

Industrial Hemp Products 

On farming part, the hemp can indeed save trees in the country because it is ready for harvesting only 120 days after it is planted while it takes years for trees to grow until they can be harvested for paper or wood. As well, Industrial hemp can also do well in Malawi because the hemp can grow on most land suitable for farming. 

It is estimated that on an annual basis, 1 acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as 2 to 3 acres of cotton and that 1 acre of hemp will produce as much paper as 2 to 4 acres of trees. Unlike other cash crops, Industrial Hemp triumphs on the fact that it does not require pesticides and herbicides in the production but only moderate amounts of fertilizer.

No More Arrests: Mw Govt Assures Legislatures

Business back to normal on Wednesday 

The Malawi Government has assured members of Parliament today afternoon that law enforcement agencies will follow National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act where none of them will face arrests while Parliament is meeting.

Government assurance come as a response to yesterday request by the Speaker, Richard Msowoya who following arrests of two MP's also top members of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) adjourned the House early and said these arrests threatens immunity of everyone including himself and that the House will meet once assurance was granted by Government.

Members of Parliament enjoys special privileges and immunity except when it is the case of Treason. The two MPs Jessie Kabwila who was arrested on Monday evening from National Assembly meeting and Peter Chakhwantha who handed himself to Police on Tuesday were being accused of Treason following Whatsapp conversation.

Kasaila

"It is the commitment of the Government that we will make sure the provisions of that Act in as far as the procedure are followed as to the Law. That is important for us and that is important for the future of our country." Assured Francis Kasaila- leader of House

"As Government, am giving that commitment and that is commitment of president as well, that the provisions of the Act will be followed" guarantees Kasaila

However, at the beginning of making this assurance the Leader of the House indicated that during the Business Committee meeting held in the morning, it was agreed and clear that provisions of Privileges Act have been violated on several occasions and that this violation was not first time.

Also Speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Msowoya informed the House at the beginning of the sitting today that the meeting of Business Committee of the House in the morning was assured of the immunity and privileges of the members of the Parliament.

He therefore said the meeting resolved that Speakers office should be informed on arrests of members of Parliament inline with Section 4 of the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act.

"From now onwards, the Speakers office will expect the authorities not to arrest members of Parliament while Parliament is meeting, unless, procedures has provided the following Powers and Privileges Act and section 60 of the Constitution is adhered to" said Msowoya further informing the House that members of Parliament have been requested to write to Speaker's office of any violation of this regard

"My office will write to the Ministry of Home Affairs and International Security advising her that the mounting of roadblocks and arrests of members of Parliament while Parliament is meeting should not be repeated unless the relevant laws are provided.

I wish to assure the House that Parliamentary Committee on Privileges will be handling matters related to the bleach of members of Parliament Privileges as provided for in its mandate"

Immediately after the assurances were made, Leader of Opposition also rose to agree that the business Committee did agree not to proceed with the motion on Yesterday for the sake of harmony and progress in the transaction of the business of the House.


Chakwera discribed the agreement as "best interest of our nation"


And owner of the motion, legislature for Liongwe North East, Maxwell Thyolera said "Assurances from Government must be adhred to"

Motion from Lilongwe North East Legislature which asked the House to deliberate on the arrests of two legislatures, Jessie Kabwila on Monday and Peter Chakhwantha who handed himself to Police on Tuesday on Treason charges, triggered the ruction in the House on Tuesday evening where both Government and opposition side had different opinion whether it was necessary to debate on the motion

Hon Thyolera complaint was that the arrests of the two was in bleach of members immunity and privileges as well 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.

National Assembly Demands Members Immunity Assurance: House Adjourns Prematurely

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.

Kabwila Out On Bail: Charged With Treason

Malawi Congress Party MCP top official and Legislature for Salima North West, Jessie Kwabwila has been released on Police bail at Kanengo Police station after spending night at the station over treason charges.

Kabwira is expected to appear before police on 26th February.

The arrest on Monday evening in city centre near Germany embassy happened just after she had attended to the first sitting of the National Assembly meeting.

Kabwila was going to the embassy to seek asylum but this was later after Peter Chakhwantha had successfully entered the embassy premises where he is as asylum seeker to escape arrest following Whatsapp conversation.

The two have been hunted by police following Whatsapp conversation allegedly bearing their phone numbers and of some MCP officials discussing ways to oust Peter Mutharika Government. However, police on Sunday failed to arrest them because they were nowhere to be seen. But they successfully managed to arrest Ulemu Msungama who is now on police bail over similar charges. 

MPC legislatures and supporters went to Kanengo Police station to demand the release of Kabwila however, police granted her bail last night but was released this Tuesday morning at 06:00 hours.

Gustave Kaliwo, MCP secretary General said he was disappointed with Police that after being assured not to arrest the two until the end of ongoing meeting of National Assembly they went ahead with plans to arrest the two.

Below is part of the Whatsapp conversation

27/01/2016, 21:25 –+265 998 58 24 45: What are we doing as MCP to deal with this stupid DPP administration and its president? In the last dpp regime, things were bad but we made Malawians to fight back. This time we seem to be normativising these deadly failures.

29/01/2016, 03:26 –+265 999 54 44 70: Kaya aMalawi kupusaku kunachokera pati eish! The DPP is messing up big time and we all seem Ok

27/01/2016, 21:59 –+44 7963 139218: I presume Diaspora movement should kick start it then the Nation will follow but it’s not easy for MCP as a party to start something, I know the consequences but let the masses do the job, they just need a starting point. Then everyone else will be ok board, these people are suffering and can react so quick.

29/01/2016, 04:18 –+1 (404) 617-9530: APM can be taken down, just using The Mubarrack Egypt style nkupita ku nyumba yathu, Kamuzu Palace osachoka iyayi, atha kukomokera momo ataona kalikiliki panja anthu atalusa ndithu

27/01/2016, 22:02 –+44 7754 944607: Does not opposition have youths who are fearless to tackle the issue head on?

27/01/2016, 22:08 –+265 998 58 24 45: We have youth, pp also has them . I think it 7th a matter of structuring, defining exactly what has to be done, well timed, not reactive, apologetic or too careful, logical etc. Rather, some organised chaos chipping at the elephant from all corners till it falls, all hands on Dec

27/01/2016, 22:09 –+44 7963 139218: We have the youth in opposition but legally any uprising started by opposition result in treason cases, let’s use the people. I believe if Malawians start it, MCP is ready to take care of them, there might be differences but even those starting this know the potential and opportunities that lies ahead.

29/01/2016, 01:48 –+1 (404) 617-9530: Pita ndiofunikatu kukamuchotsaku ku Kamuzu Palace yathu. Nyumba yathu imeneyi ngati anspangira Mubarrack in Egypt

29/01/2016, 06:14 –+44 7969 216335: But if a small group can pull out a campaign kunena Kuti sitichoka ku city centre till atatulapansi udindo I’m sure people can join in.

29/01/2016, 06:17 –+265 999 54 44 70: As MCP we were supposed to take advantage of all this mess and play it from the background

28/01/2016, 22:00 –+265 996 24 30 27: I entirely agree with you, me too wonder- why we are not ticking and get necessary backing. Few of us had/have careers elsewhere but opted to join liberation movement. Alas its business as usual. Ask JK and myself. Even in parliament, we don’t get the support we need to get this DPP down

29/01/2016, 06:43 –+265 998 58 24 45: I used to think joining politics would give me a chance to be more active, use my activistvoice with those of others but what I have seen is speaking out, walking in the streets has earned me the title waphuma ameneuja,the bulk of those I stand with prefer apologetic so called calculated politics. I’m an activist and do not apologise for my belief in people power. I must say, I’m reaching a point where it seems I belong more to my classroom where my phuma led in defeating bingu, it gets frustrating to be in a party everyone wantsand is looked up but it is afraid of its own power, I feel like a person dying of thirst when I’m in a river. Me and my phuma seem to belong elsewhere.

29/01/2016, 06:44 –+265 999 54 44 70: Zimatopetsadi JK

Kabwila Arrested: To Spend Night At Kanengo Police As Chakhwantha Seek Asylum At Germany Embassy

MCP supporters and MPs at
Area 30 Police Headquarters 

MPs discussing next move \after
Overpowering police 

Member of Parliament and top official from opposition Malawi Congress Party Jessie Kabwila has been arrested by Police while another parliamentarian and top member of the party Peter Chakhwantha is to spend nights at Germany Embassy where he is as an asylum seeker.

Police vehicle was seen
hidden parked
outsidParliament building after clashes with MPs

Kabwila and Chakhwantha were in hiding following reports alleging the two together with other members of MCP were involved in Whatsapp conversation strategising ways to overthrow Peter Mutharik Governmnet.

Police mounted roadblock at parliament building after reports spread that the two are out from their hiding and were inside attending the National Assembly deliberations.

Both Kabwila and Chakhwantha were in the day attending the first day National Assembly deliberations meeting which have began on Monday afternoon.

Kabwila was attempting to enter Germany Embassy when Police intercepted her at Tourism offices in City Centre just steps away to the Germany Embassy. Her arrest came few minutes after Chakhwantha had successfully entered the embassy house.

The arrest came just after Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security had assured the House that legislatures should not be afraid of the roadblocks mounted outside the parliament building when speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya asked the minister to assure the House that members will not be intimidated and arrested when coming and leaving the building.

The speaker requested the assurance from the Minister following a concern from Lilongwe Msodzi South legislature, Hon Vitus Dzoole Mwale who informed the House that “We are under siege”

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jean Kalirani said “What I am aware is that there is visibility of police around the country and is very important. I would like to assure you Honorable Speaker Sir, that there is nothing to fear if you have done nothing wrong.”

Immediately when the deliberations were adjourned to Tuesday, angry opposition MPs led by MCP members wrestled with Police outside the Parliament Building and successfully dismantled their roadblock. 

Legislatures then were seen in discussions and agreed to go to Area 30 Police Headquarters upon hearing rumors that Kabwila was there.

At Area 30, opposition MPs together with Malawi Congress Party supporters held protests outside the gate of the Police headquarters. They prevented any vehicle from entering or leaving the place and a driver suspected to be one of the senior police officers was about to be manhandled by the angry party supporters when he attempted to drive his vehicle and pass the through the gate.

Gustave Kaliwo

30 minutes later, the protesters left the place for Kanengo Police Station when Police informed MCP Secretary General, Gustave Kaliwo that  Kabwila was being detained there.

The two have been hunted by police following Whatsapp conversation allegedly bearing their phone numbers and of some MCP officials discussing ways to oust Peter Mutharika Government. However, police on Sunday failed to arrest them because they were nowhere to be seen. But they successfully managed to arrest Ulemu Msungama who is now on police bail over similar charges. 

Gustave Kaliwo, MCP secretary General said was disappointed with police that after being assured not to arrest the two until the 2nd Meeting Of 46th Session of National Assembly was over had went on with plans to arrest the two.

He described Kabwila arrest as political.