Opposition legislators in the Malawi National Assembly have accused president Bingu wa Mutharika of not respecting the rule of law in the country.

The lawmakers strongly protested during committee of supply on the allocation to Ministry of Justice that the rule of law in Malawi under President Bingu Mutharika has been “thrown to the wind.”

The opposition members also put on record that there has been a continued rise in politically motivated arrests, which are only been instigated to weaken the opposition.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Chief Whip, Beston Majoni said the administration of Mutharika has no respect towards the rule of law.

“There is no rule of law in the country,” said Majoni who is also secretary general of MCP.

“What happened after the Constitutional Court ruled on Section 65? There was an issue of an MP, who was beaten here, but since it involves ministers, the matter has died a natural death,” said Majoni.

The MCP political guru said the country has even lost its hard fought democracy.

“There is no democracy in this country. We have a Minister of Injustice,” urged Majoni in parliament.

“Even when it comes to arrests, it is only the opposition who are facing arrests. Unless, we get a commitment that from today onwards, everybody will enjoy justice, we are not passing the vote,” said Majoni, as government benches listened in silence.

United Democratic Front (UDF) leader in the House, Dr George Nga Ntafu criticized Attorney General, Jane Ansah, describing her as “partisan” in her role saying she always favour Mutharika’s DPP when discharging her duties.

“Why should we allocate this hefty amount to her office? With such impunity, this vote will not pass,” said Ntafu.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Henry Phoya said the lawyers for Section 65 were hired privately and that his office has not contracted out any legal services on the matter, which is before the courts.

Phoya told the House that Mutharika government remained committed to the rule of law. After a debate, the vote received an emphatic “no” and was rejected.