It does not rain but pours for ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Members of Parliament for Mzimba Hora Constituency, Christopher Mzomera Ngwira, and Mulanje South West,George Chaponda.
The Director of Public Declarations of Assets Christopher Tukula has asked Speaker of Parliament to declare vacant the legislatures’ seat for failing to declare their assets during the 2016/2017 financial year.
A letter to the Speaker of Parliament by Tukula that this publication has seen reveals that George Chaponda and Mzomera Ngwira failed to disclose details of their financial transactions such as salaries, allowances, loans, gifts received and assets of their immediate family as demanded by the Law “despite several pieces of advice and reminders”.
The declarations were due for submission between 1 and 30 July, 2017.
Other parliamentarians who may lose seats include George Chaponda, Christopher Mzomera Ngwira, Willard Gwengwe, Henry Mpofu and Davies Kadzinja.
“It is against this background that pursuant to Section 18 (1) of the Public Officers (Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests Act 2013 as read with Section 63 (i) (e) of the constitution of the Republic of Malawi, I write to seek the services and platforms by declaring the Parliamentary seats held by the above named Honourable Members of the National Assembly vacant with immediate effect, subject to the fulfillment of the necessary parliamentary procedures.”
Mzomemera Ngwira and George Chaponda have found themselves on the wrong side of law on several occassions.
They both have been arrested by the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on corruption and abuse of public resources charges.
While Mzomera Ngwira was in June this year also found bankrupt by the Malawi High Court after failing to pay over K62 million he owed Tata Zambia. Following an appeal, the court rescinded the ruling that would have barred him from seeking another term of public office.
George Chaponda, who lost to Kondwani Nankhumwa as DPP’s Vice President at the party’s convention faces two corruption charges in the maizegate scandal.
