Mliswa also said another burning issue was that of land barons, whom he accused of causing the cholera outbreak that has so far killed 49 people.
“There is also the issue of the land barons, some of whom are in this House. In Norton, we have Hon. Cuthbert Mupame who is implicated in the Kingsdale issue. We have Hon. Cde. Killer Zivhu, who is implicated in the Galloway issue,” he said.
“I speak about this with a heavy heart because these people have made people of Norton suffer. The cholera that we talk about today is a result of land barons who have gone and built more stands without complying with the master plan.
“Every town has got a master plan and if you look at it you give people land who are the land barons to build but they do not build any infrastructure to augment the new houses which are being built. That cholera which is there is a result of the land barons who have been given land and not only that, but they are the same land barons who were sponsoring the G40, but I see them in this House again.
“At times I wonder what really happened to the party. Where are the eyes of the party? They created so much division in the country. They were the ones supporting the former first lady but today I see them here.
“I wonder – where was the ZANU-PF vetting system in terms of elections to stop these criminals from coming here? When another faction comes, you know where it is coming from. You failed to stop them at the end of the day.
“The reason why I talk about the factions is because they have played a part in this economy not taking off. The only thing that the ruling party did in the Eighth Session was to just fight and fight. There was no progress at the end of the day.”
Below is his full contribution
HON. MLISWA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. First of all, let me – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, can the Hon. Member be heard in silence please.
HON. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker, let me thank the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Adv. Jacob Mudenda for listening to Members of Parliament in terms of the change of venue today. I think it is important for us to thank him because certainly the situation was not conducive yesterday. As a result, we made an appeal to him and he responded to it in a manner which is befitting for Members of Parliament. So, if you can extend my thanks to him on behalf of all Members of Parliament, I am sure they agree.
Secondly Mr. Speaker, let me thank the people of Norton Constituency who have exhibited a great mind of independence. With the politics of this country which is so polarised, you would not think that an independent Member of Parliament would garner so many votes amounting to16 850 and 7 850 MDC Alliance, well done and then ZANU PF, 4 250, well done. I say this because it is unprecedented that a constituency would give such support to one who does not belong to a party but mainly because of the progress that they want to see for themselves. It is a lesson to many political parties in this country that the people’s welfare, concerns and development initiatives are the core for them and not the power in the political parties.
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