How Mugabe was given powers to appoint key judges with MDC kicking and screaming

HON. GONESE: The numbers on this side Mr. Speaker are not relevant. We need to verify affirmative votes, handizvo here? The affirmative are the ones which count. Even if there were two people on this side, it does not really matter, what matters are the affirmative votes. That is what matters. So, for me Mr. Speaker, we need to verify that number because even if there were two people or zero people, it would not matter, because what matters is whether there is one third or two thirds which is 180+. So, my view is that we have to confirm the affirmative votes. Are they 180+? If they are not 180+, then that is not correct.

THE HON. SPEAKER: What is your number this side?

HON. GONESE: The number we had for this side is 173.

THE HON. SPEAKER: And what is your number?

HON. GONESE: Our number on this side Mr. Speaker is irrelevant. So at this point in time, we have to verify the affirmative vote.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Just tell us the number.

HON. GONESE: Mr. Speaker, our position is let us count the numbers on this side. I just want to understand. The number on this side has no relevance as far as I am concerned because if they are two or 100 people, what we need to know is whether they are 180+ on that side.

An Hon. Member having entered the House.

-[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, please sit down.

HON. GONESE: I will give you the number Mr. Speaker.  The number which we have is 41 but we still need verification – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order.  Democracy can be very expensive in terms of money and time.  I have consulted with the Leader of Government Business and we will verify the numbers this side – (Right side of the Chair.) – and we want Tellers now – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order.  I am going to announce the results and then we verify.  These are the results that I got – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

HON. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.

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

HON. MLISWA: My point of order is in terms of Section 110 of the Standing Rules and Orders which is – [HON. CHAMISA: Musabatira zvinhu pamusoro vakomana.] – Mr. Speaker Sir, I think we have been on this for the whole day, clearly wasting time.  My point of order is in terms of Section 110 which provides that “Any Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or persistently and willfully…” – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

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