*THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. MNANGAGWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Firstly, I want the Member of Parliament for a Constituency in Gweru to understand that we respect this august House fully and this should be etched in his heart forever. Secondly, it is a good thing that as they go out on a fact finding visit, they are not talking about something they have not seen – [Laughter.] – they are talking about something they are all seeing. So, it is a very good thing. Thirdly, we are helping each other, it is not possible for the Executive to stop implementing its programme because Parliament has not yet finished its own – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Parliament can continue with its own programmes whilst the Executive follow suit because the programmes will be different from each other.
So, I am very happy with what the Member of Parliament for a Constituency in Gweru said. When the Committee is finished, it will bring its report to this House so that we hear what they would have gathered. However, this will help them a lot in answering or responding to people’s concerns – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is in relation to what the Hon. Vice President Mnangagwa said. I think if you read the Hansard of last week, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Chinamasa told the nation that he was going to halt the unveiling of bond notes until the nation speaks on the controversies associated with the monetary policy which was about to be implemented. As the Vice President rightly said, the bond notes are already in circulation. Is this not the reason why the Government is having the problem of obtaining trust in terms of inconsistencies in policy statements given out on given dates. It does not abide to the policy statements made to the nation, particularly through the National Assembly. This is why the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other financial institutions capable of lending you money are disgruntled about, policy inconsistencies. You give out a policy statement today and tomorrow you change your statements. Can you not see that this is destroying the Government Hon. Vice President? This is a problem in our country where we may one day wake up to be told by the Government that we are no longer breathing because they are not true to their word.
HON. MNANGAGWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I do not know why the Hon. Member was hesitant to ask the Minister of Finance and Economic Development – [Laughter.] – Anyway, let me answer your question ‘Pastor.’ The issue you touched on to say the Government is making the nation disgruntled – there is a law which stipulates that, after every five years, we hold an election in order to choose the next popular Government – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – This nation chose us, it fell in love with ZANU PF – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – because it can be trusted. Those who are untrustworthy cannot be voted to lead the nation, so that is their problem to assume that we cannot be trusted. We are trusted by those who voted us into office…
HON. CHAMISA: On a point of Order Hon. Speaker. Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. The Vice President is prudent if he gives descent answers to others. If one lives in a glass house, they should not throw stones, lest those stones are thrown back at them. If the Vice President does not humble himself as a leader, he should not cry foul if we begin to misbehave around him. We are making an appeal to the effect that, if we ask questions in anticipation of an answer, let us not humiliate or insult each other. The issue of elections which are being referred to, have too many wrangles – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – the elections in this country are known to be full of wrangles – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – The Hon. Vice President should respect Hon. Members when they have asked questions so that we get answers. Such issues may lead to a situation where we will also stand up and say things that will shake and denigrate the Government. I am asking for respect for each other Hon. Speaker.
Continued next page
(259 VIEWS)
