Francis Kasaila described Minister of Tourism Rachael Zulu as a form 4 dropout

Chaos erupted in Parliament on Tuesday when Nsanje Central MP Francis Kasaila described Minister of Tourism Rachael Zulu as a form four dropout who cannot educate him.

The issue started when Kasaila was contributing to a budget statement Finance Minister Ken Lipenga delivered on Friday. In his contribution, Kasaila expressed concern over government’s lack of interest on the Nsanje World Inland Port saying the people from Nsanje were still waiting for the port to be operational.

But Zulu stood on point of order “to educate Kasaila that the Nsanje Port was not only for the people of Nsanje but for the whole Malawi’. Kasaila was not pleased with what Zulu said.

“There is no way a form four dropout can educate a graduate,” Kasaila said before continuing with his contribution.

Noise engulfed the house as government side protested against Kasaila’s remarks, while the opposition cheered him on. Amid exchange of words, Deputy Leader of the House Grace Maseko asked Second Deputy Speaker Juliana Mphande to rule Kasaila out of order ‘for demeaning Zulu.

Kasaila protested Mphande’s order leading to her ruling that the matter would be handled today after looking at the Hansard. Meanwhile, in its reaction to the budget statement, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), like Malawi Congress Party on Monday, labelled the 2013/2014 budget statement ‘childish’. DPP spokesperson on finance Frazer Nihorya said the statement does not provide comprehensive information on key allocations. He described the PP led government as clueless.

“The appreciation of the Kwacha is not a result of the policy intervention by this clueless government. Madam Speaker, I choose the term clueless for the following reason: When the kwacha was devalued, this government was rejoicing and celebrating.

Now, the same kwacha has appreciated and they are also celebrating. Now let me ask Madam Speaker: What is it that this government wants?” he said.

UDF spokesperson on finance, Mahmudu Lali, said government would only succeed in implementation of programmes it has lined up if it solves problems of corruption, lack of patriotism and inefficiency in the civil service. The House adopted President Joyce Banda’s State of the Nation Address.