Suspended Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Dr. George Chaponda is this morning scheduled to appear before a joint Parliamentary committee on Agriculture to explain his involvement in the Zambia-Malawi maize deal.

Chairman of the joint committee Joseph Chidanti Malunga confirmed of the development in an interview with the press.

“We extended our invitation to Minister of Agriculture Dr. George Chaponda and we are hopeful that the Minister will honor the invitation,” said Malunga.

Chaponda arrived in the country on Wednesday from Germany where he went for official duties defiling court order restraining him from executing his duties as Minister of Agriculture.

His trip attracted strong criticisms from all corners of the country with Civil Society Organization (CSOs) threatening to sue Chaponda for contempt of court.