Kamogelo Muvhenzhe
Malawi’s former deputy speaker of Parliament Clement Chiwaya has died after reportedly shooting himself in the head in front of the Clerk of Parliament, Fiona Kalemba, in her office.
It’s reported that Chiwaya, a former cabinet minister who served in parliament between 2014 and 2019, went to his former employer to push them into releasing his benefits. These included a vehicle which he was using as deputy speaker which was modified to suit Chiwaya who was physically disabled.
He had complained to the country’s ombudsman earlier this year that the vehicle was still in the government’s name, even though ownership was supposed to be changed to him.
The Office of the Ombudsman ordered Parliament to identify another vehicle for Chiwaya and modify it. This was supposed to be done by the end of June this year but it didn’t happen.
In the statement which Chiwaya is reported to have released before his suicide he said it was depressing for him to be begging people for something that belongs to him.
“I could have killed these people with a loaded gun but chose to go alone,” the statement read.
In a statement, Parliament spokesperson Ian Mwenye said police were called to the scene and are investigating the matter.
