By anonymous contributor
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus at Page House ended in fury on Sunday after some Members of Parliament protested against George Chaponda’s continued role as Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
The MPs reportedly told Arthur Peter Mutharika, the party’s president, that Chaponda could not be the appropriate person to respond to the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
There is growing resentment among DPP legislators who believe Malawians have not forgiven Chaponda for his role in the maize corruption saga, the suspicious fire at the Ministry of Agriculture offices and other corruption allegations hanging loudly on his head.
“It is clear to every DPP loving member that the moment Chaponda stands to speak in Parliament, government MPs immediately shout ‘Kaloswe’ in reference to the maizegate scandal”, said one of the MPs who attended the caucus.
Another MP revealed that the meeting did not end well because legislators openly rejected Chaponda and proposed that Mary Navicha take over as Leader of Opposition.
Chaponda the man, the myth, the 82-year-old enigma
If ever there was a guidebook on how not to be a public leader, Chaponda’s career would be the gold standard.
From bizarre legislative antics to full-blown corruption scandals, his record reads like a tragicomedy except for the unfortunate Malawians who have suffered due to his actions.
Take, for instance, his unforgettable contribution to legal history when he introduced the infamous Farting Bill. While Malawi faced pressing issues like poverty, hunger and economic instability, Chaponda’s legislative priority was outlawing flatulence in public.
You have to admire the man’s ability to stay focused on what matters because the biggest crisis facing Malawi at that material time was not the struggling economy or food shortages, but the unchecked chaos of public farting.
The maizegate scandal
Speaking of food shortages, Chaponda’s greatest claim to infamy remains his role in one of Malawi’s most disgraceful corruption scandals.
At the height of a hunger crisis, when countless Malawians were desperately looking for their next meal, Chaponda, serving as Minister of Agriculture under Mutharika, saw an opportunity, not to help the starving masses, but to enrich himself.
Money meant to procure maize and feed starving citizens mysteriously disappeared, with Chaponda allegedly diverting a significant chunk of it for personal luxury.
When the scandal escalated and the law came knocking, Chaponda, ever the quick thinker when it comes to clandestine operations, resorted to desperate measures. A mysterious fire broke out at the Ministry of Agriculture offices at Capital Hill, conveniently destroying potential evidence.
To him, as long as the incriminating files went up in smoke, just like the hopes of Malawians who believed in justice, it did not matter. Unfortunately for him, even arson could not erase all traces of his misdeeds.
The Stash of Cash and the Audacity to Lead
When police finally searched Chaponda’s residence, they uncovered a small fortune in cash, a staggering $420,000 in illegal U.S. dollars, along with billions of Malawian Kwacha, neatly hidden away.
A bold move for a public servant who, on paper, earned a modest government salary and yet, despite it all, Chaponda still dares to present himself as a public leader to speak on the welfare of Malawians. Not surprising that even MPs in the DPP think otherwise.
Considering Chaponda’s track record, his role as a Leader of Opposition designated to comment on the SONA delivered by President Lazarus Chakwera on Friday becomes unattainable.
According to sources at Page House, Chaponda is expected to be booed even by DPP members of Parliament who are protesting his continued leaderhip role in the House.
