Buhera South Member of Parliament Joseph Chinotimba said yesterday corruption was highest in parliament because members were being forced to speak in English rather than in their mother tongues because translation machines were not working.
“This is our country and we were born Shona and Ndebele speaking people but we are taking English to be the mother language of this country. Corruption is highest here in Parliament. We do not have money, coupons; we do not have anything yet this is our country,” he said amid cheers from other members.
Chinotimba, who had stood up on a point of order, went on: “We can no longer exercise our freedom of speech yet we were elected to represent our people. We are now being silenced. If these machines are not fixed, it is better for us to adjourn this august House until the machines are fixed.”
Members have been asked to speak in English when machines are not working on several occasions yet some of them have said they only went up to Grade Two.
Full contribution:
MR. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order!
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
MR. CHINOTIMBA: Mr. Speaker Sir, in our beautiful country and in our Parliament; when machines are not working, we are told there is no money for repairs for translation to be possible in this Chamber. This is our country and we were born Shona and Ndebele speaking people but we are taking English to be the mother language of this country. Corruption is highest here in Parliament– [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-We do not have money, coupons; we do not have anything yet this is our country.
We can no longer exercise our freedom of speech yet we were elected to represent our people. We are now being silenced. If these machines are not fixed, it is better for us to adjourn this august House until the machines are fixed. I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Your concerns are noted hon. member.
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