Former Malawian MP Shoots Himself Dead In Parliament

Clement Chiwaya, a former high-ranking Malawian MP has shot and killed himself in front of an official inside parliament. Born in 1971, Mr. Chiwaya who has been using a wheelchair since contracting polio at the age of 2, served as his country’s deputy speaker between 2014 and 2019, and was popular as a disability rights activist.

Chiwaya who successfully ran as MP on three occasions, left a note before departing for the parliament in Lilongwe. In the note, the deceased talked about his dispute with parliament over ownership of a vehicle specially adapted.

Following his loss in an election, Chiwaya began the process meant to allow him buy the car provided by the parliament which made it easier for him to drive despite his disability. Chiwaya paid for the vehicle but accused parliament of failure to transfer ownership. He went further to note that he was tired of pleading for what belonged to him and said he took his life due to the fear of “hurting others.”

Media reports in Malawi suggests that Chiwaya entered the office of the clerk of parliament on Thursday, and shot himself while the clerk watched. The Malawian powice are currently investigating how the deceased made it into the parliament which is usually secured heavily.

Source

BBC