Maridadi says it’s so difficult to open a bank account that at one point I asked the manager if he wanted the birth certificate of my mother’s boyfriend

Hon. Mutseyami having risen to give a point of order.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Why did you not do it immediately after Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga?

HON. MUTSEYAMI: Sorry, I was giving room for my Hon. Speaker to conduct the business of the House smoothly.

THE HON. SPEAKER: No, no, we do not want to act in staccatos.

HON. MUTSEYAMI: My apologies Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you.

HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I have a take note item on behalf of the Parliamentarians, with regards to our Constituency Development Fund (CDF). We need to acknowledge that the CDF is coming through and the Members of Parliament are moving with regard to the Constitution – however, it is more serious Mr. Speaker Sir, to take note that we have issues that we agreed on behalf of Parliamentarians with regard to the Minister and the Speaker was available, but up to today, some issues have not been resolved regarding what we agreed in Victoria Falls.

It is important that we take note of this item so that these two issues are resolved henceforth, within time. It is also important that you advocate for us to have a solution to these issues before the life of the Eighth Parliament comes to an end. We do not want a situation whereby former Parliamentarians will come to have their issues resolved. It is important and you have to take note that as a result of the situation that we have and the life that we are living, some Members of Parliament are going beyond this life without enjoying their monies as a result of death due to a lot circumstances.

So, it is important Mr. Speaker Sir, to deal with this matter as a matter of urgency. It must be taken note of by the Minister and the Speaker that these two issues are resolved. I will not dwell much on that, but will acknowledge the issue of CDF. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. On the question of CDF, the ball is in the court of the Hon. Members.  Do what is required of by the Constitution and then draw down that money because you have; I am sure about four months to go and you need to really work hard to ensure that you promote those projects that have been identified in the various constituencies. The second part was a bit vague; you simply said all those things that are outstanding. I was not sure what you were talking about.

Hon. Maridadi having approached the Chair.

The Hon. Member has favoured me with the two items which seem to be very administrative and we are going to make sure that his concerns are addressed; which are also the concerns of all Members of Parliament – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

HON. MARIDADI: Mr. Speaker Sir, concerning almost the same matter that was raised by Hon. Mutseyami, ease of doing business is a buzz word in this country. I am sure all the Hon. Members here with constituencies that are trying to access CDF would agree with me that opening a bank account in Zimbabwe is the most difficult thing that you could ever imagine – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – It will take you no less than two weeks – at one time I went to the bank and I said I have provided all the documents – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

 THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! Can you lend the Hon. Member an ear?

Continued next page

(442 VIEWS)