Majome asks why Zimbabwe registrar-general Mudede is still employed, if he is over 65?

Q &A

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

DATE OF BIRTH FOR MR. TOBAIWA MUDEDE

HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to inform the House when the Registrar General, Mr. Tobaiwa Mudede was born and further explain if he is above 65 years and why he has not retired from the Civil Service.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is not here.

HON. MAJOME: Hon. Madam Speaker, I think this is about the fourth time that I am raising this issue. This august House is fast turning into a circus because clearly again, the Hon. Ministers of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare as well as …

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: We are deferring it and it will be on number one again.

HON. MAJOME: Hon. Madam Speaker, I am concerned that this House is not using the powers that it has. It is almost as if we are treating the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare with kid gloves on such an important issue. Last week, there was the excuse that the Minister was new and he needed to be handed over power but his Deputy was there. The other week, the Minister who was reshuffled claimed that she was not ready for the question but her Deputy was there. Previously again, the Ministry of Home Affairs avoided this question.

Hon. Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of privilege. I have a right to receive an answer to this question. I move a motion Madam Speaker that you find the Hon. Ministers in contempt because this is a critical national issue. If this question is deferred again, it will give the very regrettable impression that the Speaker is protecting Hon. Ministers from answering questions. Surely, this House should show the utmost disgust and should not tolerate behaviour such as this. This is a serious question and it should be answered.

I think the Ministers must be held in contempt. This cannot go on. The reason why we put questions on notice is for Ministers to see them and answer them. They cannot continue playing ball with us like this. If I may ask, why the Ministers are not here today?

 THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I hear you Hon. Member and also go along with what you are saying. The office of the Speaker has tried to invite the Minister so that he is answerable to what is happening, but because of these changes I think some other people are taking advantage as well; but we are together, the office of the Speaker and the Hon. Members but we are going to continue trying to call the Hon. Minister to our office.

HON. MAJOME: On a point of order Madam Speaker.

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