MDC-T complains about ZANU-PF walkouts that are killing debates on its motions in Parliament

Full statement:

Thursday, 25 August 2016

Statement by MDC Chief Whip, Hon. Innocent Gonese

The MDC T Caucus is appalled, dismayed and disgusted by the anti- people behaviour displayed by ZANU PF members of Parliament in walking out of Parliament on diverse occasion to frustrate and thwart important motions to discuss definite matters of urgent public importance raised by Members of Parliament from the Party of excellence, the Movement for Democratic Change. The latest illustration of this disgusting behaviour is in regard to the very noble motion introduced by MDC T Vice President and Member Parliament for Kuwadzana East Honourable Nelson Chamisa on the 18th August 2016.

It is instructive to note that the Notice was initially given on Wednesday the 17th August after the Administration of Parliament had been given advance notice in terms of practice directions which have been observed in Parliament but which are not explicitly provided for in terms of the Standing Rules and Orders of Parliament.  Notwithstanding this procedural compliance, the Speaker of the National Assembly delayed the introduction of the Motion on the pretext that he wanted to be furnished with the video footage and electronic evidence of the police brutality which was the subject matter of the motion.

It is instructive to note that the provisions of Standing Order NO. 59 do not entail the production of such detailed evidence as it would simply  suffice for the Speaker to merely exercise his mind as to whether the Motion is one which is contemplated by the Rules. In spite of the clear and unambiguous nature of the Motion to which in legal parlance the res ipsa loquitor principle would apply, the Motion had to be deferred to the next day. Incidentally, the police had again on that morning proceeded to violate the rights of peace loving Zimbabweans who had simply exercised their rights to demonstrate in terms of the provision of Section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Honourable Chamisa duly complied with the direction to produce the necessary video evidence and the motion was properly introduced on the following day when the requisite number of MPs being not less than 25 rose to support the motion as provided for by the Rules.  It is illustrative to note that not a single Member of ZANU PF or the so called IndependentCandidate rose in support of the adjournment of the House to debate the noble motion which touches on the fundamental rights of all Zimbabweans.

Shortly before the appointed time, 5: 15pm, for the adjournment of the House, in order to debate the motion Honourable Francis Mukwangwariwa began mobilising Members of Parliament to leave the House in a brazen and undisguised manner and Honourable Chamisa rose to point this out. Predictably as soon as Honourable Chamisa started presenting his motion by playing the graphic videos in Parliament, Honourable Joseph Tshuma rose on a point of order to raise the issue of lack of quorum. This was a clearly premeditated and pre- planned manoeuvre. Inevitably, when the bells were rung, only MDC T Members were present and the inquorate House had to adjourn to the next sitting day, 19th August 2016, which happened to be a Friday when the House does not normally sit.

Oblivious and ignorant of the consequences of their actions, only 6 ZANU PF members of Parliament out of a potential total of 211 were initially present and needless to say no Ministers or Deputy Ministers turned up even though on a Friday the order of business should start with question time.

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