OPPOSITION MPs OBTAINS INJUNCTION AGAINST THE SWEARING IN OF NEW CLERK OF PARLIAMENT

As debate continues over the appointment of new Clerk of Parliament (CoP) Fiona Kalemba, four opposition members of Parliament (MPs) have obtained an injunction restraining her swearing in ceremony.

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika appointed Kalemba following the retirement of her predecessor.

But her appointment raised commotion among Malawians following reports that she did not emerge first, but third during the interviews for the position which the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) conducted in October.

Opposition People’s Party (PP) for the north Harry Mkandawire confirmed of the development in an interview with the press on Thursday.

Mkandawire said the High Court has given them seven days to file an inter-partes application to support their claim after which the court will set a date for hearing once the government through the Attorney General responds.

The four MPs challenging Kalemba’s appointment are Harry Mkandawire (Mzimba West, People’s Party-PP), Kamlepo Kalua (Rumphi East, PP), Peter Chakwantha (Lilongwe South West , Malawi Congress Party-MCP) and Enock Chihana (Rumphi Central, Alliance for Democracy-Aford).

The development means the swearing in ceremony of Kalemba scheduled for today will not take place until the Court makes its ruling on the matter.