Mliswa says only two ministers would survive if Mugabe got rid of all corrupt ministers!

*HON. CHAMISA:  On a point of order, for the safety of Ministers; may the Hon. Mliswa debate whilst standing on this side – [Laughter.]-

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order, Hon. Chamisa, Hon. Chamisa has got the right to debate standing on a side that he wants – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  On a point of order, I think Hon. Chamisa is correct in what he has said because Hon. Mliswa is spitting whilst speaking. It is like we are outside and it is raining.  He should move over to that side.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Member, please take your seat. Hon Mliswa, please proceed with your debate.

HON. MLISWA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  Hon. Chinotimba, I will keep talking to you and you shall get irrigation…

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Member of Parliament for Norton, it is my appeal that you stick to the debate of the report of the Committee please.

HON. MLISWA:  I take note of that Madam Speaker but because of lack of irrigation, I thought I would also be helping Minister Made to ensure that we increase the irrigation capacity of the country –Laughter.]-

Madam Speaker, I still go back to the point which I was on that Members of Parliament must not be moved by factional fights in any party.  We have oversight and we must …

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Is this in the report? – [HON. MEMBERS: Yes!] –

HON. MLISWA: What we are debating about is a report on Public Accounts.  Public accounts, whether you like it or not, involves accountability and transparency, but we have failed to execute as a result of corruption  – [HON. MARIDADI: Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Maridadi!

HON. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, it is equally important that as Members of Parliament, when we are here to discharge our duties regardless of the political parties we belong to, we have a mandate to serve the people.  We have a mandate to serve the nation.  Equally, we also call upon Ministers who are appointed in trust by the President to also ensure that their mandate is met.  But quite clearly that certainly is not happening.

Madam Speaker, we will continue referring to the ruling party because it is the governing party.  If it were not the governing party, we would not refer to it. As such, they have equally come from a conference which we hoped – it was a national event where we hoped that the issues of corruption will be brought up seriously; but instead, the Head of State now is leaning towards factions, saying that you must not be penalizing people so that you get into power. I was a bit shocked because I had hoped that he would go on his tone in terms of dealing with corruption because His Excellency, on numerous occasions has spoken about corruption.

Continued next page

(568 VIEWS)