On Wednesday, Parliament confirmed Mulanje South Member of Parliament, Mary Mpanga, as the new Chairperson of the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Earlier in the day, Parliament introduced a supplementary order paper to facilitate the selection of one of the Commissioners. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had earlier proposed the name of Mary Mpanga, MP for Phalombe South, for the role.
This decision follows a recent rejection by Parliament of Zomba Chingale MP, Lonny Chijere Phiri, for the same position.
During the session, Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda humorously requested Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Aisha Adams to suspend parliamentary rules to allow the government side to cross the floor and congratulate Mpanga, though this did not occur.
Minister of Gender, Jean Sendeza, congratulated Mpanga on her new role and praised female members from both sides of the House for their trust in women to hold such significant positions.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) also expressed satisfaction with Mpanga’s confirmation, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on gender issues. They commended the DPP for proposing a female lawmaker for this key position.
Mary Mpanga succeeds George Chaponda, who is now serving as the Leader of the Opposition.
