Is Biti gay?

HON. CHIKWINYA:  Thank you Hon. Speaker.  At the beginning of the debate, around these motions by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, was the issue of the respect given to the Head of State as he represents the country in signing treaties and conventions as per the mandate given to him by the Constitution and I do not doubt that as the Head of State puts his signature to these treaties, he exercises due diligence and wisdom.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Chikwinya, are you connected?

HON. CHIKWINYA:  Oh sorry.  I was saying at the beginning of the debate around these treaties. From motion number 10 up to now, there was recognition of the powers given to the Head of State by the Constitution and over and above the powers given to the Head of State by the Constitution as he represents the country, is certainly his respected wisdom and due diligence before he puts his pen to paper.  So I do not doubt that when the Head of State signed an agreement with the Americans he did not know the relationship between Harare and Washington.

I enter my debate on the level of sanctions, Hon. Speaker.  The issue around this motion seeks to promote investment between Harare and Washington and what we have are travel restrictions that have a background.

Hon. Speaker, during my debate, it is fact that there are travel restrictions. It is fact that there are thawed relationships between Washington and Harare but it is also a fact that the Head of State and Government appended his signature intending to trade with the Americans. There was certainly dialogue that there is opportunity for the two nations to do trade and investment.  Now, what are the conditions that are underlying which are inhibiting trade and investment?  It comes again to the issue of human rights; it comes again to the issue of our own conduct as a people of Zimbabwe.

The Americans have been clear.  We cannot do trade with you when that money is promoting the abuse of human rights –[HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-  The Americans are clear that we cannot fund human rights abuses in Zimbabwe by giving you opportunities to do business with us.  We cannot use American tax payers money for you to abduct Joannah Mamombe –[HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-  We cannot abuse the American tax payers money to fund a regime that does not respect its own people.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI):  Madam Speaker, the Hon. Member is alleging that the State abducted Hon. Mamombe.  Can he substantiate that or withdraw that statement?

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Chikwinya, we cannot debate about that issue in here because it is under the courts.

HON. CHIKWINYA:  The Hon. Minister has asked for further particulars.  So he has asked me to substantiate and I am going to do that with respect to the Executive and with respect to the Chair –[HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-  I am prepared to do that.

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