Gukurahundi rears its ugly head again as Parliament discusses Mphoko’s Peace and Reconciliation bill- Part Four

HON. HOLDER:  I ask Hon. Members to please give me a chance to express myself freely without any disturbance.  Mr. Speaker, I will start again that rivers do not flow in reverse.  Let us try to be like a river.  Let us focus on the future.  Let us always be positive.

Mr. Speaker, this Bill does not seek to unite people.  The reason why I say this is that in 1980, when independence was granted to this country, there was no truth and reconciliation.  Nothing was done to Smith when he did worse.  Now, when we are beginning to look into issues to try and criticise our own Government.  That is now treasonous, Mr. Speaker.  We have a new Constitution, but we need to remember that this Constitution that we adopted is a Constitution that came with a compromise because there was the GNU and there were all sorts of things.  It is very liberal.  A lot of laws are not yet aligned to this Constitution.

In 1987, as Hon. Mandipaka said, on 22nd December there was a unity accord and the third force which Hon. Mandipaka said, a third force is trying to cause division amongst ourselves.  Already we have division here, Mr. Speaker.  Our division here is between the opposition and the ruling party, ZANU PF and MDC.  We divide the people and us as MPs.  MP means men of the people.  Our power derives from the people…

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order.  I appeal to the Hon. Members not to be emotional – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-  Hon. Holder, what you are saying is an appeal towards amendment of the Constitution.  As long as this Constitution has not been amended vis-a-vis the section that deals with this Commission, there is no way you can wish away the provisions of the Constitution.  So, in that regard, we must discuss the Bill presented here by the Executive.  Thank you.

HON. HOLDER:  Thank you Mr. Speaker, but that is not going to intimidate me.  I would actually say to you, Mr. Speaker Sir…

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order!  Hon. Holder you will withdraw that statement.

HON. HOLDER:  Thank you Mr. Speaker.  I will withdraw that statement, but Mr. Speaker Sir, I stand guided.  May I proceed with my debate Mr. Speaker Sir?

THE HON. SPEAKER: Sit down, thank you.  Read your Standing Orders.  You cannot dispute the ruling of the Chair, otherwise I am going to send you out.  Hon. Holder, can you sit down please?

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