Lilongwe Msozi North Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Kamanya, who was attacked by suspected Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters in Lilongwe yesterday, purportedly for his anti-MCP stand in parliament which has seen party president John Tembo fail to wear his customary Leader of Opposition tag, has vowed to press on with initiatives against Tembo’s leadership style.

The MP said in an interview his crusade was not against Tembo as such, but his leadership style. Kamanya accused Tembo of frustrating government’s development agenda when he was Leader of Opposition during last parliament.

Kamanya, an independent MP who has joined hands with erstwhile MCP legislator for Lilongwe North West Ishmael Chafukira in fighting for new standing orders that would allow all opposition parties to choose a Leader of Opposition, said the incident in Lilongwe would encourage him to press on with intimated changes.

He was attacked in Lilongwe yesterday by 10 unknown people. Police have, so far, arrested eight suspects in connection with the attack.

The MP today complained to the Speaker of Parliament, Henry Chimunthu Banda, against the attack. He also appealed for police protection.

“I am informing you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, so that should I die; you must know what has happened to me. I am currently living in fear,” said Kamanya.

His attack has attracted condemnation from fellow parliamentarians.

It becomes the first time this year an MP has been attacked for his stand in parliament.

Tembo’s fate as Leader of Opposition awaits the determination of the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament, which is yet to be established.

Chimunthu Banda has said, however, that the committee would be in place by Friday this week.

AEP