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

 HON. ADV. CHAMISA: On a point of privilege. From the Standing Rules and Orders, we are given the powers as individual Members of Parliament. If there is a point we feel impinges or encroaches our right to privilege in this House, this issue has already been indicated by Hon. Chasi, the Chair, Hon. Ziyambi and Hon. Mliswa. I do not think it is sufficient to say we will have the Minister reading the Hansard. Yes, he can read the Hansard but he will not be able to understand and read the body language and the emotions of Hon. Members. This is a serious national debate. It can only be a debate by all of us.

We know that the Vice President is busy but inasmuch as he is busy, the Minister of State could also come in. –[inaudible interjections.]- We are saying perhaps he is busy but Hon. Speaker, you know that it is good practice that when we are debating such important Bills, we always have technical officials. I can see that there is none. The seats are vacant and it tells you one thing. It is either there is no seriousness by individuals who have been entrusted by Government to deal with this Bill because we cannot allow a situation whereby serious debates are undertaken in Parliament about serious national issues in the absence of those serious national offices.

 So, Hon. Speaker, it is my plea that we either summon as Parliament, because we cannot just be speaking to ourselves. We do not want echoes that are going to the caves, mountains and walls. We want echoes that are going to the corridors of power so that when we speak truth to power, power gives power to truth. As it is, we are just speaking truth to power but there is no power to listen to our truth. So, what are we doing? We are not expecting you Hon. Speaker to burden yourself under these circumstances but let us have the relevant authority.

The Vice President should be here so that we are able to give justice and good effect to the spirit in the Constitution. This is a very important Commission and we would want the Minster or the Vice President to be here. This is a plea that I am making and I know that the plea has the majority support of all progressive Members of Parliament. This is not a partisan call, it is a patriotic call. This is not an MDC or a ZANU PF issue, it is a Zimbabwean issue.

The issues that are being raised, Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga raised issues that are very touching and these issues require that we have the hearts of the rulers of the land. If we do not turn the hearts of the rulers of the land, we may not be able to turn the hearts that are crying and wipe off the tears on the chicks of many Zimbabweans who are literaly crying for justice. So, Hon. Speaker, I seek your indulgence and the indulgence of this Committee that on this one, let us summon, or may be summoning is too strong a word, but let us kindly request the Hon. Vice President to be present or to avail himself for this important debate – and the Minister of State to be here so that we are able to engage them on this progressive national discourse.  Hon. Speaker, I so state and place on the table.  Thank you very much.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. DZIVA): I wish to respond before you can raise your point of order.  I note with great concern the matter of privilege that has been raised by Hon. Majome and Hon. Chamisa.  I think it is important for Hon. Ministers to be responsible when they are carrying out their duties.  However, I have been advised by Parliament that the Vice President had made an apology.  He has gone to Bulawayo on national duty, so they asked if it could be debated and through the Hansard they will respond after tomorrow – [HON. MEMBERS: No, no.] – I think if we agree, we can adjourn this debate to tomorrow when he comes back and Hon. Members can debate in his presence [HON. MEMBERS: Yes.] –

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