A heated exchange in Parliament has put lawmakers’ conduct under scrutiny after remarks about intoxication sparked debate over whether some MPs attend proceedings under the influence of alcohol.
The controversy erupted after Lilongwe Nyanja MP Steven Malondera questioned the relocation of Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda from his customary front-row seat, suggesting the move could be linked to succession politics within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ahead of the 2030 general elections.
Leader of the House Jappie Mhango dismissed the matter as irrelevant to government business, saying Parliament should focus on substantive national issues rather than what he described as “petty issues.”
In the course of his response, Mhango said members should not come into the House intoxicated, adding that Parliament had limited time to dispose of government business.
Malondera immediately rose on a point of order, saying he had interpreted the remarks as referring to him. He denied ever attending Parliament while intoxicated and demanded that Mhango withdraw the statement.
Dedza Kasina MP Joshua Malango then cited Standing Order 100, arguing that parliamentary rules prohibit members from making statements that improperly reflect on another member.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker Sameer Sulemani said he had not heard Mhango directly accuse Malondera. He said he understood the Leader of the House to have made a general remark that members should not come into the chamber intoxicated and that “some members come here intoxicated,” adding that he would review the official record if necessary.
While the Speaker found no direct reference to Malondera, the exchange has nevertheless raised fresh questions about standards of conduct in Parliament, placing renewed attention on discipline, professionalism and the decorum expected of Members of Parliament.
