A former deputy speaker in Malawi, Clement Chiwaya, shot himself in the head inside parliament, where he had gone for a meeting.
Clement Chiwaya, who moved in a wheelchair, had gone to the building on Thursday to discuss vehicle benefits entitled to him when he left office two years ago.
The former deputy speaker shot himself right in front of the Clerk of Parliament, Fiona Kalemba.
Police spokesperson James Kadadzera confirmed the incident but refused to give details until he had received a full report from investigators.
Parliament “regrets to inform the public that the former deputy speaker … committed suicide at the parliament building,” it said in a statement.
As to how Chiwaya managed to bring a gun into a high-security building remains questionable. However, parliament made a comment on this in their statement.
“Having been a person with a disability, the (security) scanner alerts were deemed to be from the wheelchair,” it said.
Clement Chiwaya, who was 50, once served as member of Parliament (MP) for Mangochi Central Constituency for 15 years under the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Chiwaya bowed out of active politics in 2019.
Clement Chiwaya Left A Suicide Note
In his suicide note, Chiwaya says, “To all those of you that would question why? Don’t. Here is my explanation: In my whole life I have worked very hard to ensure that I am self-sufficient and I don’t rely on others for anything.”
He adds that his experience with parliament has been very bad although he is not a violent person.
“While it would have been easier to hurt others with the means I have, I don’t want that to be my legacy. My heart and spirit has been brought down not because of the possession such as a vehicle but the persistent begging that I am doing to get what belongs to me.
“Is this life worth living. Probably yes to others. For me the fact that I have taken the issue to various people and I am forced to be begging them to do something is really depressing.”
Continues Clement Chiwaya: “I don’t have any more energy to carry on. Many of you will not forgive me but I am down. I have reached the end of my tether. If I continue living, I will hurt others and I don’t want that to happen I am already suffering from my post-polio syndrome which is getting worse every day. Compounded by this these people think I am asking for charity and yet this is a vehicle I bought with my own money…”
He concluded his note by saying he loved his wife Sullea and his children Bhubhile Sandra Crecencia Caleb and Clement Jr. Also, he apologised for the pain his suicide would bring to them.