Kuvimba Mining House ownership, assets, reports raise a sting in Parliament

HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  What is guiding us is what is lodged and registered with the Registrar of Companies.  We are not here to discuss court cases and anything that is outside, that I think is beyond me.  For me, what I used is what is with the deeds.  This is what I responded to and any other information, I think the Hon. Member is privy to provide us with that information.  What is critical is the legal information which is with the deeds and that is what I did. 

HON. MARKHAM: On a point of order! My reference to the court case is to prove the source documents for who owns and is responsible for Kuvimba Mining House.  If it has changed, how did it change?  I used the court case only as the source document as to what I have.  It appears the Hon. Minister is not happy to explain what is happening in South Africa pertaining to Kuvimba.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Unfortunately Hon. Markham, in this House, we do not debate things that are under the courts, whether it is here or outside Zimbabwe.

HON. MARKHAM: I fully understand.  The court case is finished, it has been ruled on, and it has been adjudicated, hence the two resignations he is talking of – [HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjections.] – You are not the Minister who is supposed to answer the question.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Markham!

HON. MARKHAM: I want an answer to the questions.  These are national assets, they are gone.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I am not protecting the Minister but you heard the Minister saying that if you have got relevant information, you are supposed to avail that to the Minister so that he can make some investigations. 

HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Mr. Speaker.  However, my question has been sitting on this Order Paper for three months.  Secondly, if you look at the Order Paper, all the questions are mine and they are not answering my questions.  I have also stated to this House, we are waiting for four Ministerial Statements from Ministers that I have asked and they have not answered.

The Chair always protects the Ministers and they do not answer and when they do not answer, you still protect them.  So, where is the error?

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: That is a serious accusation Hon. Markham.  I think I told you what the Minister has said, maybe you did not understand him. He told you that if there is any relevant information that you have got, please make it available to the Minister so much that he can give you appropriate answers to the questions.  There is no need for you to argue with me, my decision is final.

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