Malawi Cables
The yet to be tabled Age Bill continues to enjoy bad publicity with lawyers and other social commentators trashing the MCP’s proposed bill.
A member of the legal profession who spoke to Cables in an interview said such a constitutional amendment cannot be effected by way of tabling a private members motion in parliament without the involvement of the Law Commission as is required by the supreme law of the land.
The member confided in Cables that the attempts by MCP to table the bill in parliament through Chitipa South Parliamentarian Welani Chilenga is unconstitutional and can be challenged.
“The procedure is that such an amendment is supposed to come as a recommendation from the Law Commission. The commission is mandated by law to conduct consultations and make recommendations through the Ministry of Justice. The bill is also supposed to go through Cabinet approval” he said.
Meanwhile, former Supreme Court Judge Dunstain Mwaungulu has added his voice in trashing the bill calling upon the executive branch of government, MEC and the Judiciary not to enforce it once passed.
“Please check the constitution, Mr Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Do not pass bills that are clearly against the principles of the constitution” writes Mwaungulu on his Facebook page.
Adding his voice on the Age Bill, is renowned social commentator and entrepreneur Kondwani Kachamba who feels the proposed amendment was an attempt to bring the country to one party state.
Said Kachamba: “It’s very clear this is an arrow fashioned against Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika. Trying all ways to stop him from contesting. The truth is that we are not ready for one party system. APM remains a choice”.
“Malawi already defeated one party system by bringing Democracy. Let’s campaign, debate ideas and the best man should win.”
MCP has recruited mercenaries to push for the bill with Allan Ntata as their lead with close to K300 million exchanging hands. Others are Agape Khombe, Billy Malata and Redson Munlo. The three are expected to present a petition to parliament on the “Age Bill”
