Chinotimba asks: How can Biti say elections were rigged when he won is his constituency?

*HON. MADZIMURE: On a point of order Madam Speaker Ma’am.  The Hon. Member Hon. Chinotimba is no longer in line with the motion.  I think he needs to go back and ensure that he debates within the confines of the motion that has been moved.  If he has nothing to say, he should sit down.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Proceed Hon. Chinotimba but ensure that you stick to the motion.

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  The issue that I mentioned is that Hon. Biti said, what is happening is all politics.  I am saying, those who lost the election are ones that are causing the rise in prices and that is the truth.  Madam Speaker, we have a problem in our country whereby people take foreign currency outside the country to buy their goods and the goods do not attract foreign currency.  As a result, our foreign currency – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Hon. Members, order.  May the Hon. Member be heard in silence?

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  I am within the confines of the motion.  Madam Speaker.  I am talking about foreign currency.  We do not have enough foreign currency in our nation.  The business people take the foreign currency – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – Madam Speaker, I need your protection, especially from the Hon. Member with spectacles, Hon. Thabita Khumalo.

When the companies get foreign currency from the Reserve Bank to go and buy their goods outside the country, those companies are not bringing back foreign currency.   They manufacture goods and sell those goods that attract foreign currency but they do not remit it.  That is why we have a shortage of foreign currency.  For that reason, our economy is not developing at all – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – Did you have evidence at all when you showed us that clip in your presentation?  – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order.  Hon. Chinotimba, address the Chair.  You may proceed.

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  Madam Speaker, the other issue that is causing economic challenges in our nation is the issue of people who just rise up in this nation and badmouth our country, requesting for sanctions and their behaviour affects the nation.  The country cannot thrive under such a situation.  Others are saying ‘open for business’ while the other party is saying ‘open for sanctions’.  That is a challenge for our economy to grow.  Madam Speaker, the issue of the Rand in Zimbabwe is a welcome proposal but there are measures that must be taken into consideration.  We cannot use the Rand if our economy is not stable enough to use another country’s currency – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order Hon. Members.  Please allow the Hon. Member to be heard in silence – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  Madam Speaker, this motion was brought up by Hon. Mashakada but he does not want us to debate the motion.  We are saying, we appreciate the motion and it is an important motion.  We want to debate it and look at the positives and negatives of the motion.  We are not in agreement with the rising prices or the shortages but at the same time, we will not support those who go into shops and take politics into the shops.  Madam Speaker, this nation, if at all it has people who do not know where this country came from, who do not understand what makes people happy in this country will never be peaceful and worth living.  People say the wrong things.  They think that poverty and challenges being experienced is caused by certain individuals.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me an ear – [AN HON. MEMBERS:  Yes, you are vomiting.] – My request is that the Hon. Member should withdraw his words – [HON. CHIBAYA:  You are not the Speaker.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Chibaya!  Hon. Chinotimba, you may proceed.

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for the opportunity and the words that I have said.  I thank you.

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