Opposition MPs walk out of Parliament

Opposition Members of Parliament have walked out of the Parliament chamber in protest. The opposition MPs, mainly MCP and PP, are protesting the decision to continue with government business when today is private members’ day.

After passing a motion on Parliamentary Independence, Blantyre City Center MP Themba Mkandawire moved a motion to change the Order Paper so that the house could discuss general business instead of Private Members’ Bills, to which 53 voted yes while 47 were against it.

One of the private members’ bills that were expected to tabled today is the Financial Services (Amendment) which seeks, among other provisions, to put limits on how much interest rates banks, microfinance institutions, Saccos and other lenders can put on loans.