afrol News, 7 August - In what is seen as an anger to a ruling he had delivered in favour of the opposition lawmakers in the ensuing crisis over budget, a Malawian High Court Judge, Joseph Mwanyungwe, has had his home raided by anti-graft police.

Mwanyungwe had earlier issued an injunction that allows the parliament to continue delaying a debate over the suspended budget.

No reasons have been advanced for the impromptu Monday night raid. Mr Mwanyungwe said he did not know the reasons of the action because he was not informed by the police. But most people linked it to the latest ruling.

The opposition-controlled parliament has refused to entertain discussions around the budget, insisting that unless the cross carpeted members to the ruling party are expelled in parliament the stall will continue.

The stall over the budget has cause fear among the population, with some people fearing that it might dislodge the government from power. The parliament’s failure to pass the budget has halted most of the government functions and essential services.

Justice Mwanyungwe’s ruling has stimulated people, particularly the students, to hold protest near the parliamentary building and pelted stones. The lawmakers were caught up inside the building for more than five hours.

Since the Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker of Parliament had the powers to expel defected lawmakers two months back, Malawi has been going embroiled in the greatest political impasse of its history.

Like President Bingu wa Mutharika, most parliamentarians abandoned the parties that elected them to power. Mr Mutharika has defected from the United Democratic Front to set up the Democratic Progressive Party after he had accused the former party officials of blocking his anti-graft fight.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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