Dedza West Legislator Joshua Malango has asked Parliament to remove controversial lawmaker Sameer Suleman as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture.
Malango made the sentiments on Thursday morning when he stood on a point of order in Parliament.
The legislator’s remarks follow events that unfolded in the August house on Wednesday afternoon where Suleman was involved in a physical altercation with Zomba Chisi legislator Mark Bottoman.
‘Madam Speaker, I am rising on a point of order to raise a concern about the conduct of the Agriculture Committee Chair who is no stranger to violence in this house. Honestly, his conduct doesn’t reflect well with the position he holds as Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee of Parliament as such I beg to move that Parliament acts by removing him as Chairperson of this influential committee of parliament, said Malango.
But in her response, Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara asked Malango to follow all relevant parliamentary standing orders that legislators follow when they want to move a motion in the August House.
“Honourable member you know this is a house governed by relevant standing orders as such I would advise you to follow the relevant standing orders,” said Hara.
This is not the first time that Suleman has been involved in controversies within the parliament chambers as during the current session of Parliament he has been sent out of the house more than three times.
