Penal Code Amendment Bill of 2016, Courts Amendment Bill Passed

Tembenu

The Malawi National Assembly on Friday passed the Penal Code Amendment bill with an aim of addressing the ongoing attacks and killings of persons with albinism as well as protecting persons with any type of disability.

The legislation is proposing life sentences for those found guilty of unlawful exhumation of human corpses particularly remains of persons with disability with intention of having the body tissues to sell or use them in any witchcraft practices.

Penal Code Amendment Bill Proposing Life Sentences, Minimum 21 Years

The Penal Code Amendment Bill of 2016 is proposing life sentences with a minimum of 21 years imprisonment for convicts found in possession, selling, extracting or exhuming tissues of living or dead person.

The bill has just been presented by Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs, Hon. Samuel Tembenu and is now being debated by the National Assembly.

The principle objective of the bill is to amend the Penal Code, in the wake of attacks on persons with albinism.

Budget Meeting Of National Assembly Extended To Next Week

Impeccable sources have disclosed that it is more likely that the National Assembly will continue meeting up until next week as the ongoing 3rd Meeting of 46th Session of Parliament for budget was expected to end this Friday after meeting for a period of eight weeks.

Sources at Parliament say a recent meeting resolved extension of the Meeting up to next week.

No Hope For ATI This Friday

There is little hope that the much awaited Access to Information Bill will be debated this Meeting of the National Assembly as the 3rd Meeting of 46th Session for Budget ends this Friday afternoon.

Leader of House, George Chaponda also has since expressed doubt that the bill will be discussed on Friday saying there are so many important bills on the Order Paper.

Catholic MP’s Urged To Walk The Talk

Fr. Jana giving the Holy Eucharist 

Catholic legislators have been asked to represent their words with action in their spiritual and political life.

Reverend Father Henry Chimkanda made the call on Tuesday in his homily as he was celebrating the Holy Mass at the Parliament building with legislators.

“We fail to walk the talk” observed Fr. Chimkanda 

Invest In Large Scale Farmers - Opposition Parties

Opposition Parties in the National Assembly says Malawi can eradicate its perennial food shortages if Agricultural programs and resources are invested to large-scale farmers and not resource poor farmers.

The observation follows US$60 million loan authorization bill on International Fund for Agriculture Development Programme for Rural Irrigation Development which has been passed by Parliament on Tuesday evening where the main beneficiaries in the loan are 19, 500 poor households from number of districts across the country particularly in most areas affected by drought and 12, 300 hectares will be under irrigation through the project.

Independence Celebrations Fever Force House Shot Down Time Extension

              Its Time Up Honorables!

The Legislators on Tuesday evening left Bill No. 17 of 2016: Courts (Amendment) unfinished as members were rushing home to begin the two day holiday after sitting time was over.

Malawians are celebrating Independence Day Holiday this Wednesday while on Thursday, Muslims will be celebrating the Eid Ul-fitri and both days have been declared holiday.