University students harass Members of Parliament
There was pandemonium at the gates to Malawi Parliament Monday when University of Malawi students almost closed the gate to Parliament demanding to deal with the opposition Members of Parliament who are refusing to discuss the national budget.
The students, almost 600 in number had forced university authorities to release six buses to ensure they go to parliament to demonstrate.
Most of the students are afraid that failure to pass the budget this August would mean closing the University.
The students stoned one car and injured a lady member of parliament. Another male Member of Parliament run for his life after seeing his car being smashed.
Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe who worked for International Monetary Fund for many years, had to come in to assure the students the budget would be passed.
Police Mobile Force had to come in quickly to protect the Members of Parliament.
Opposition Members of Parliament have vowed not to discuss the budget of 2007/2008 until the Speaker of parliament declares some seats of Government ministers who defected to the ruling party vacant.
Over the weekend leader of opposition John Tembo told a rally the opposition still stands by their earlier stand.
Financial year ended on 31st July 2007 without the budget being passed.