By Jones Gadama
Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara has accused Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda of attacking her over the failure to enforce Section 65 of the parliamentary rules, claiming that the criticism is motivated by sexism. Section 65 empowers the Speaker to recall Members of Parliament who cross the floor.
However, Chaponda has pushed back, calling for Gotani Hara’s resignation due to her alleged failure to discharge her duties fairly. He accuses her of gagging opposition MPs who are pushing for electoral reforms. The opposition leader’s demands come after chaotic scenes erupted in Parliament, with Gotani Hara accused of bias in handling parliamentary affairs.
Gotani Hara’s defense is that she’s being singled out because she’s a woman, despite previous Speakers also failing to enforce Section 65.
The provision has been a contentious issue since 2014, with all Speakers facing criticism for not enforcing it. MPs often secure court injunctions to block the process, further complicating the matter.
Critics argue that Gotani Hara’s leadership has been marred by incompetence and partisanship.
Her failure to uphold parliamentary rules and regulations has led to confusion and disruption within the legislature. Some have even called for her impeachment, citing her inability to manage parliamentary affairs effectively.
The controversy surrounding Section 65 enforcement has sparked intense debate, with some arguing that the provision is essential for maintaining party loyalty and others seeing it as an infringement on MPs’ rights. The issue remains a contentious point in Malawi’s parliamentary politics.
In related news, Gotani Hara has faced criticism for delaying approval for the parliamentary inquiry into the plane crash that claimed the life of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima.
This has further fueled concerns about her leadership and commitment to upholding parliamentary procedures.
As tensions between Gotani Hara and Chaponda escalate, the future of Malawi’s parliamentary politics hangs in the balance.
The controversy surrounding Section 65 enforcement and Gotani Hara’s leadership will likely continue to dominate the headlines in the coming days.
