Deputy Speaker rejects Kamlepo’s evidence in Chaponda’s Brazil maize scam

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Esther Mcheka Chilenje on Tuesday rejected evidence in the corruption allegations on maize import deal from Brazil involving Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Dr. George Chaponda.

On Monday, Rumphi East Member of Parliament Kamlepo Kalua accused Leader of the House who is also Minister of Agriculture of being corrupt in the way he handled the procurement of maize in Brazil.

The development angered Chaponda who asked the Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya to ask Kalua to bring evidence on the matter.

“He still claims that I went to Brazil and we cannot continue to work on lies from social media. In line with standing order 102, I am asking the honourable member [Kalua] to produce evidence by tomorrow,” Chaponda said.

Kalua obeyed the order and on Tuesday he came with the evidence in the house but Mcheka Chilenje rejected them, saying the evidence was not in written documents as required by standing orders of the National Assembly.

Standing on point of order, Leader of Opposition in the house Dr. Lazarus Chakwera asked the Deputy Speaker to refer the evidence into relevant committees of the house, saying just rejecting the evidence like that is not in order.

Writing on his official facebook page after the development, Kalua hinted that will continue fighting for the truth in most of the dubious deals that government is involved in.

“The speaker wanted Evidence…..and i brought it in Parliament today. I hope You have all seen what has happened with the Agriculture Minister. The fact is there was corruption in procuring maize from Brazil. I presented a message conversation between the Minister and ……..as Kamlepo i will play my role to fight corruption, as Malawians play your part aswell.

“The fight against corruption ndi ya tonse. More evidence to come in this parliament whether they accept it or not because I am IMMUNE in parliament. I know these so called facebook caddets are ready to insult us, not even insults will stop the war on corruption. #wewantchangeagain,” wrote Kamlepo.