Chombo taken to task after saying Gukurahundi is a non-issue

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order.  Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, can you please proceed.

HON. DR. CHOMBO:  Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to state very clearly that regardless of your circumstances of not having a birth certificate or an ID, the Government has made it clear that arrangements are made.  You can bring your relative, your uncle, brother, sister, school master and even anybody who knows you testify.  That is why I was telling Hon. Khupe that the issue that she was raising was a non-issue viz-a-viz the issue of birth certificates.  Thank you.

HON. KHUPE:  I have a point of order.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  What is your point of order?

HON. KHUPE:  Mr. Speaker Sir, I rise on a point of order because we are raising a very important issue where children and many people do not have IDs and birth certificates as a result of gukurahundi.  Their parents were killed and right now they do not have access to birth certificates and IDs.  This is a very important issue; it is not a non-issue.  It is very important when it comes to registration of voters.  Can the Minister withdraw Mr. Speaker Sir, because I do not think that it is fair for him to say the issue of gukurahundi is a non-issue and that it does not arise when children do not have birth certificates.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order.  Hon. Minister, can you approach the Chair.

HON. ADV. CHAMISA:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order.  I have asked the Hon. Member to explain the context of his statement so that he is understood.

HON. DR. CHOMBO: Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to clearly clarify this matter which has arisen out of the question that Hon. Khupe had raised.  The issue that she raised was lack of birth certificates or other national identification documents by persons in her catchment area due to – [HON. MEMBERS:  No! no!] –Mr. Speaker Sir,

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order please.  Carry on Hon. Minister.

HON. GONESE:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  I think the word catchment

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order.  I had not recognised you Honourable.  You cannot start speaking before I recognise you.  What is the point of order?

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