Parliament constitutes new Parliamentary Service Commission

* Comprises Speaker Sameer Suleman as chairperson; Ismail Rizzq Mkumba, Chifundo Makande, Daniel Chitonya, Fred Penjani Kamlepo Kalua and Beatrice Roseby Mwale

* The commissioning was presided over by First Deputy Speaker, Victor Musowa, who described as youthful, urging them to uplift the values of the august House

By Duncan Mlanjira

Parliament has confirmed the appointment of members of the new Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) for 2025-2030, in accordance with Section 194 d (1) of the Constitution whose chairperson is the Speaker, Right Honourable Sameer Suleman.

The Commissioners are: Ismail Rizzq Mkumba (UDF-Blantyre City Ndirande Malabada Nyambadwe Constituency); Fred Penjani Kamlepo Kalua (UTM-Blantyre City Soche Zingwangwa); Chifundo Makande (DPP-Balaka Rivirivi); Daniel Chitonya (MCP–Karonga Town); and Beatrice Roseby Mwale (PP-Kasungu North)

A report by Malawi Parliament official Facebook page indicates that the commissioning was presided over by First Deputy Speaker, Victor Musowa, who described as youthful, urging them to uplift the values of the august House.

Leader of House, Jappie Mhango also congratulated the new Commissioners pledging that the government will support them considering the enormous responsibility that they shoulder.

According to Section 6 of the Parliamentary Service Act, the PSC is responsible for determining size and organisation, and establishment of posts of the Parliamentary Service, determining conditions of service of Members of Parliament and of Parliament staff.

The PSC is also responsible for appointing, confirming and promoting employees in the Parliamentary Service.

Meanwhile, as the first meeting of the 52nd Session of Parliament, which serves as the 2025/2026 mid-year National Budget review session, Speaker Sameer Suleman, informed the House that the deliberations will run for five weeks, from November 5-December 5 — following the official opening by President Arthur Peter Mutharika on Friday, October 31.

The Speaker also announced the leadership of the House as submitted by various political parties — Jappie Mhango as Leader of the House, Patricia Wiskes as Chief Whip Martha Ngwira Munthali as Deputy Whip, representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

For the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Simplex Chithyola Banda will serve as Leader of Opposition, with Moses Kunkuyu as Whip and Monica Chang’anamuno as Deputy Whip.

From the United Transformation Movement (UTM), the team includes Patricia Kaliati as Leader of UTM in the House, Edgar Kapalamula as Deputy Leader of UTM in the House, Felix Njawala as Whip and Kenneth Ndovie as Deputy Whip.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) has Aisha Mambo Adams as Leader of UDF in the House, Ismail Rizzq Mkumba as Whip, and Tulinje Muluzi as Deputy Whip.

On the leader of opposition, the Speaker further announced that, in accordance with Standing Order 35, Simplex Chithyola Banda, MP for Kasungu South, is officially recognised as Leader of the Opposition.

Presenting resolutions of the Business Committee, the Speaker outlined the parliamentary programme for the five-week meeting, whose Debate on the President’s Address will take place from November 5-14 — while encouraging new MPs to use this period to deliver their maiden speeches.

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning & Development, Joseph Mwanamveka, is scheduled to deliver the 2025/2026 mid-year National Budget review statement on Friday, November 21, followed by debate from November 24-28.

The House will then proceed to the Committee of Supply from December 1-3 to scrutinise and adopt revised budget estimates before adjournment on December 5.