Chinotimba, MPs and O-Levels

Full debate:

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  Mr. Speaker, yesterday I came across people who were talking bad about you, some of them are Members of Parliament and others civilians.  I am not sure whether you said in the next Parliament, you now want people who have attained ‘O’ levels.  People were saying what if we want a person who has not attained ‘O’ levels, where does Mudenda come in?

To us as war veterans, it was not clear because we went to the liberation struggle left others furthering their education and the war was not fought by educated people only.  It was fought by focused people who put their country first before their education.  We said those we left behind should further their education.  I just want to know whether you really said that.  If our people choose me as Chinotimba and others say we do not want him but want those who are educated;  maybe you said that but knowing you, I do not think you said so – [Laughter.] –  I am just seeking clarification whether it is true or false.  If it is true, then we will ask further questions and if not, then there is nothing to the issue.

*THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order, Hon. Chinotimba, you did not mention the place where this was said?

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  Mr. Speaker, some were at the Sheraton Hotel and others were rural areas.  A lot of people were talking about it and mentioning my name and when I heard my name being mentioned, I queried because I debate in Parliament.

What pained me most was not my lack of education but the bad mouthing of the Hon. Speaker.  I concluded that it was now a political issue and people were now vote buying.  That is why I decided to ask in the presence of everyone who wants to be voted into office using the Hon. Speaker.

*THE HON. SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Chinotimba, I was at Fairmile Hotel meeting the civil society and a question was posed about the qualifications of a Member of Parliament.

I stated that the qualifications are enshrined in Section 125 of our Constitution which states that (1) A person is qualified for election as a Member of the National Assembly if he or she –

is  registered as a voter; and

is at least twenty-one years of age:

Then I went further and said that one should be a registered voter and be a Zimbabwean citizen.  If you are a foreign national from either Malawi or Zambia, it is not possible because of our Constitution – that is what I said. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  Hon. Mliswa is distracting my attention; I cannot follow what you are saying.

*THE HON. SPEAKER:  Let me repeat what I said, qualifications are you must be a Zimbabwean citizen, a registered voter and 21 years old.

I further went on to state that in Zambia, from their previous elections last year; they amended their Constitution and said one has to be a registered Zambian, a registered voter, 21years old and should have attained ‘O’ levels.  That is the example I gave citing Zambia but I said here education is not an issue as long as people like the person they can get into office.  You should not listen to those who are misguided.  I hope you have understood me, thank you.

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