DPP MPs shun parliamentary proceedings

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators have vowed to boycott parliamentary proceedings for the next two days in protest of the suspension of 25 members on Monday.

Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara used standing order 105 to send out and suspend 25 DPP legislators amid chaos on the leader of the opposition saga.

This happened after both Kondwani Nankhumwa and Mary Navitcha stood to respond to the State of the Nation Address-SONA.

All DPP lawmakers gathered outside parliament building in solidarity of boycotting the proceedings.

In an interview outside the building, DPP spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba insisted that none of their members will enter the chamber until the suspended members are allowed to participate in parliamentary proceedings.

“We are extending an invite to Malawians of good will including supporters of DPP to join us at parliament building in solidarity with the suspended members,” stressed Namalomba.

On her part, Navitcha who is DPP leader of opposition wondered why the Speaker sided with Nankhumwa to respond to the SONA when he was expelled from the party.

She said: “Parliament is independent and it is clear that the opposition political party with a majority representation elects a leader of opposition.” Currently, some DPP sympathisers who are not legislators have joined the members of parliament who are boycotting the proceedings outside the August House.