Chamisa says Zimbabwe’s turnaround is a minute away- just arrest corrupt ministers

This is very important Hon. Speaker, if you look at the report that has been presented. Just in regard to the issue of the coupons, people were taking fuel from Redan without any accountability. No record from Redan – [HON. KASUKUWERE: How?] – Yes, you may say how Hon. Kasukuwere, but this is happening under your watch and you will be busy with other wars that are not necessary instead of fighting – [Laughter.] – So, you cannot ask me how – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

Hon. Speaker Sir, I wish to refer you to the Standing Orders in terms of the reports that are coming from our Portfolio Committees. I have received very powerful committee reports. There was one from the Committee of Agriculture; Youth and Indigenisation; Health by Dr. Labode and even, we have heard many reports but our Ministers are simply ignoring these reports yet we have a clause and provision in the Standing Orders. That is Standing Order Number 26 (2) that says, once a report has been given to Parliament, we must, in all cases, within 10 sitting days have a response from the Minister. But I can tell you that Ministers have not come here to report or respond to our reports and this continues.

What we want is to make sure that a Minister, who does not come here, let it be a combined effort by ZANU PF and MDC MPs, the MPs of this country to say, please account as a Minister. Come here and account. We have given you nice cars to drive and nice perks to have, account for them. We want our Ministers to come here and respond to the reports. This report is a very important report but I can assure you Hon Speaker, after the 10 sitting days, no report is going to be responded to. Why? It is because as Parliament we have become a toothless bulldog. In fact, it is okay for a bulldog. We have become a toothless puppy. Not even a puppy, we are a poodle. If we were a bulldog, we would understand. We have become a lapdog of Government.

We must move away from waiting as resources are being plundered. This is what is killing ZIM ASSET, the economy and future of our people. If we come together as a people and say to Ministers, please account, we teach our Ministers to come here, not for a hunky dory affair but to account for things that are supposed to be done. We want these things to be done Hon. Speaker and it is backed by the law. Ministers are supposed to come here and account for what they do. Hon. Mpariwa moved a very good report, seconded by Hon. Marumahoko.

We do not want this report to just go down the drain. This report must be given the seriousness it deserves. Why, because there is violation of the law. Why, because there is corruption in the corridors of Government. Why? Because we have people who are violating the statutes of our country and we need to just look at Section 84 of the Public Finance Management Act. We are supposed to have audit committees in all these Ministries but not even a single Ministry has an audit committee. Why? It is because they do not take the laws seriously – [HON. WADYAJENA: Chamisa waive Minister iwe.] – Yes, I was a Minister and I will become a Minister very soon – [Laughter.] –

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