Chaponda confirms receiving invitation from the Speaker as leader of opposition

Mulanje South West Member of Parliament, Dr. George Chaponda has confirmed receiving an invitation as Leader of Opposition to the Business Committee of Parliament in preparation for the Sixth Meeting of the 49th Session of Parliament on 18th July this year.

Eerier this morning the social media was awash with a letter purportedly from Clerk of Parliament Fiona Kalemba inviting Chaponda to a Business Committee Meeting slatted for tomorrow.

The letter started with a congratulatory message to Chaponda for being elected as leader of opposition replacing DPP Vice President for the South Kondwani Nankhumwa.

“I can confirm I have received the invitation letter for the said meeting,” said Chaponda in a brief comment on the matter.

But commenting on the matter, Ian Mwenye, principal public relations officer for parliament, said the office of the speaker does not take any role in the appointment of the leader of opposition.

According to Mwenye, the leader of opposition is elected using Standing order 35 subsection 1, which states that a leader of opposition shall be elected by a party not in government- having numerical strength in parliament, at any point in time.

He said the issue of the appointment of Chaponda is currently being handled by the office of the speaker.

Meanwhile, Nankhumwa is yet to comment on the matter.