Mnangagwa, Mphoko refuse to answer questions about Grace Mugabe’s remarks at the Chinhoyi rally

HON. ADV. CHAMISA:  I really appreciate that.  Hon. Vice President, my question to you is that we have seen and heard in the full glare of all the people of Zimbabwe, statements from the First Lady to the effect that there has to be an appointment or direction as to the successor, whether yourself or some other, – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – It was not clear but yes, it was public.

Our question, which is a very important question, is there stability within Government and is there something in Government that has necessitated those fundamental pronouncements by the First Lady?  Particularly when one has regard to what was also said by the First Lady – to say that there is bias in farvour of some Ministers in terms of others ahead of others. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Is everything well in Government or the Government is facing some serious problems?

HON. E.D. MNANGAGWA:  I thank you Hon. Member. Madam Speaker, the first point is where was the First Lady speaking?  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Which political party was it?  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – We have no problem of recruiting more members into ZANU PF.

–         [Laughter.] –

We were at a rally of a particular party, ZANU PF, discussing issues of that political party.  You have referred to Government, I am not aware of any statement relating to Government at all. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –  With regard to the issue of some names or some people not appearing, it is a question of being subjective whether that is true or not.  You need to look at particular cases and say, in this particular case it should not have been on page two but on page one or not page eight but on page two.  Then we deal with the particular cases as they arise.  I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – [HON. MARIDADI: Inaudible interjection.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order I think the question was clear and the answer was also clear that in this august House, we cannot debate on issues of a particular party.  May we please proceed with the business of this august House, Hon. Mupfumi! – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

*HON. MUPFUMI:  Thank you Madam Speaker…

HON. MARIDADI:  Madam Speaker, honestly allow me to pose a supplementary question, because this issue was on our national television.  What happens in ZANU PF affects us because ZANU PF is the ruling party – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – 

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  What is the supplementary question?

HON. MARIDADI:  The supplementary question is, the First Lady is the wife of – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order Hon. Members.

HON. MARIDADI:  The First Lady is wife to our President and Head of State and what she says goes, because she is a person who is very important.  What was said at a ZANU PF rally has a bearing on all of us, because ZANU PF is the ruling party…

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  May you please get to the point.

Continued next page

(392 VIEWS)