Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Dr. George Chaponda who is also government Chief whip stunned the house in the first day of budget session in Lilongwe after being caught dozing while President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika was delivering State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The picture which faceofMalawi have in possession shows Chaponda in deep sleep and not following Mutharika’s SONA dubbed ‘Towards Recovery and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development’.

Chaponda’s picture has attracted mixed reactions from Malawians especially those on Facebook with others questioning each other as to whether Chaponda took Mutharika’s speech with seriousness.

Writing on his official facebook page Dawn Gowa Nyasulu said: “I see a disgrace of a Leader of Government Business in him, at least not on the very First day, let alone not in the presence of the President.”

Mutharika appointed Chaponda as leader of government in Parliament on Thursday replacing Francis Kasaila who is currently heading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.