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

HON. MARKHAM:  Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Minister has just told us that it is a private company – which is fine, I have no problem with that.  The company’s assets came from the Government and if you look at 1 (g), it says there – confirm whether a tender was issued for the disposal or acquisition of State assets, hence my reference to Question Number One.  Did this private company and what did it pay?  Was there a tender for the disposal of massive company assets?  I thank you.

HON. CHIDUWA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I think I was very clear to say the disposal or any such acquisition was not done in terms of the Public Disposal but was done in terms of the Ventures Act following the provisions of ZIDA.  So, I am not sure if there is any confliction there.

HON. MARKHAM:  Mr. Speaker, I do not care how you sugarcoat it.  Any disposal of State assets must come to this House and it has not.  You can sugarcoat or call it what you like, it is not legal.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Markham, I had given you the floor to pose Question Number Three.  I thought the response from the Hon. Minister was so clear and I have given you the opportunity – [HON. MARKHAM: Thank you!] – to pose your Question Number Three.

HON. MARKHAM:  Mr. Speaker, on a point of clarity, you are personally comfortable with his answer that the State assets were disposed of legally.  I just need clarity on that, are you comfortable Mr. Speaker that State assets for the money and resources in Zimbabwe were disposed of legally? – [HON. CHIDUWA: They were not disposed, they were acquired.] – They were acquired legally? – [HON. ZIYAMBI: What was the question Hon. Markham?] – Mr. Speaker, I cannot say it often enough and if people listened instead of talking they would understand. It is a very simple question.  Are the assets of this country, a whole list of mines, was it disposed of or acquired by this company legally, that is all?  Could the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs actually answer that question seeing he wants to?  I thank you.  – [HON. ZIYAMBI:  It is a supplementary, I cannot.] –

HON. CHIDUWA:  Thank you Hon. Speaker.  I do not know if I am going to present something that is different.  I have already stated that the acquisition of assets by Kuvimba was done legally using the Ventures Act.  Again, the Ventures Act is a legal Act.  So, I am not sure if there is any difference on that.

HON. MUSHORIWA: Supplementary Mr. Speaker Sir!

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Sorry Hon. Mushoriwa, I think we have had quite a number of supplementary questions on this one – [HON. MUSHORIWA: It was not on this question Hon. Speaker!] – I gave you opportunity I think twice. I gave you opportunity about five times, so no more supplementary questions on this one. – [HON. MUSHORIWA: Inaudible interjection.] – No more supplementary questions and my decision is final; no more – [HON. MUSHORIWA: Inaudible interjection.] – My decision is final, I am sorry – [HON. MUSHORIWA:  But you never asked me for this ZIDA because what the Hon. Minister has done is actually misleading the House!] – Now if you are saying he is misleading – [HON. MUSHORIWA: Inaudible interjection.] – Hon. Mushoriwa! Hon. Mushoriwa! Can you withdraw that statement that you said! – [HON. MUSHORIWA: But Mr. Speaker Sir…] – May you withdraw! – [HON. MUSHORIWA: He is talking of an Act that was repealed.] – Order, order Hon. Mushoriwa! I am saying order, may you resume your seat? – [HON. MUSHORIWA: But you need to also guide the Minister!] – I cannot accept the fact that you are saying that the Hon. Minister is misleading the House.  I wonder why you are asking questions if you already have appropriate answers.  Please sit down! – [HON. MUSHORIWA: But Mr. Speaker Sir…] – No, I cannot entertain any further questions regarding … – [HON. MUSHORIWA: But the Hon. Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs is here, he knows that the Ventures Act was repealed!] – No, the question is not directed and you are not here to debate with me, my decision is final.

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