Give commissions teeth- MP says

The Member of Parliament for Buhera West Oliver Mandipaka has called on the government to give commissions teeth so that they can act independently and fulfill their missions.

In his contribution to the debate on the Land Commission Bill, Mandipaka, a former police chief spokesman, said: “I think it is high time that this nation respects our commissions that we put in place in terms of our Constitution.  I say so because in terms of our Constitution, when the Commission goes about doing its fundamental roles, we would want to see a situation where they do it, perhaps independently as provided for by the Constitution.  Whatever they bring out should be taken into consideration.”

Mandipaka’s sentiments come in the wake of what seems to be political interference on the findings of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission which said Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo and his Deputy Godfrey Gandawa should be arrested for abusing Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund money.

Full contribution

HON. MANDIPAKA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I will be very short and my message is going to the Executive and the nation of Zimbabwe.  When we set out to have Commissions of Inquiry in different facets, I think it is high time that this nation respects our commissions that we put in place in terms of our Constitution.  I say so because in terms of our Constitution.  When the Commission goes about doing its fundamental roles, we would want to see a situation where they do it, perhaps independently as provided for by the Constitution.  Whatever they bring out should be taken into consideration.  One very fundamental thing that this country has done since attaining independence is the Land Reform.

The Land Reform, Madam Speaker was one of the most important programmes that this nation has embarked upon because of the imbalances that existed in past.  The Bill that is coming before this House needs to be supported and the introduction of the Land Commission is going to make sure that we re-dress the imbalances that we have seen to be in existence.  According to the report that has been produced by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, we have heard a lot of things that have been happening in the process of distributing land. There was talk about people just resettling themselves, some in water bodies, some in heritage sites and others were even taking extra farms.  Once we have a Land Commission, I want to strongly believe that these issues are going to be addressed Madam Speaker.

We have heard from the Chairperson that the people that are seconded to this Commission are men and women of integrity. Men and women who are so competent, they represent diverse cultural beliefs that we have in the country.  Whatever they are going to come up with, I think as a nation, we should respect our own Commissions.

However, above all, when this Land Commission is in place and starts operations, Madam Speaker, it is very important that they address the anomalies that were created during the Land Reform Programme.  There are a number of challenges that we have, I think they are going to move fast to make sure that these issues are addressed.

I would like to congratulate the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee who talked about creation of credible data.  It is high time that we as a nation must have a credible data that will tell us that Mr. Mandipaka has multiple farms.  Action should be taken to make sure that we do not perpetuate the imbalances of the past but instead advocate for black advancement.  I thank you.

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