Collapsed Malawi speaker dies
2005-06-28 17:29
Blantyre - Malawi's speaker Rodwell Munyenyembe has died four days after collapsing in parliament during a heated debate about the possible impeachment of President Bingu wa Mutharika, says the health minister.
Munyenyembe, 69, died late on Monday in a South African hospital, where he was airlifted after he fell ill.
Health minister Hetherwick Ntaba said: "Doctors could not resuscitate him because blood flooded his brain", giving the cause of death itself as cardiac arrest.
Pandemonium broke out in parliament on Thursday when an opposition lawmaker tabled a bill to amend the rules and allow for the impeachment of Mutharika for violating the constitution.
A shouting match broke out between Mutharika's supporters and the opposition lawmakers that nearly turned into a brawl.
'Appetite for power'
Amid the upheaval, Munyenyembe rose to his feet, shouting for order and using his gavel to no avail. He was seen losing his balance and tumbling to the floor.
Malawi had been in the throes of a bitter power struggle between Mutharika and his former mentor turned political foe, Bakili Muzuli, who held the presidency from 1994 to May 2004.
Mutharika had accused the former leader of causing the rift because of his "appetite for power".
The death of the speaker came as parliament was preparing to adopt a budget that international creditors and donors would use to gauge the poor southern African country's commitment to get its finances in order.
The adoption of the budget could pave the way for the resumption of aid suspended in 2002 due to concerns about corruption and overspending during Muluzi's administration.