HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you so much Hon. Speaker. I sincerely appreciate what my colleagues from the other side have been saying. However, it is also important for me to state that I have never commented about the attendance or non-attendance of Ministers since I came into Parliament. I represent the people of this country, I represent tax payers – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – I represent people that are paying through their nose to make these Hon. Ministers live a comfortable life.
My colleagues from the other side are encouraging the Speaker to take lightly the issue of people that are consuming tax payers’ money to play delinquency with the duty that they are charged upon to do. Hon. Speaker, we are an institution of Government that is charged with the responsibility to do a particular duty on each and every day as stated in the Constitution.
The Hon. Ministers are aware that every Wednesday, they have got a duty to report to this House so that they answer questions. The fact that they take lightly that responsibility, means that they do not sympathise with the tax payers of this country that are meeting the cost of whatever they are enjoying as Hon. Ministers – [AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjections.] – I feel you are enjoying and that is why you do not care about coming 30 minutes late to Parliament.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. Can you address the Chair.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Hon. Speaker, it is my sincere belief that if as Parliament we are going to respect the people of this country, I think action has to be taken against the Hon. Ministers. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! I think I had ruled already and I take cognisance of what Hon. Chasi, Hon Sibanda and Hon. Gonese have said. We have entered into a register the times when the Ministers here present have come in and we have a register of attendance of Ministers every Wednesday. That will be rationalised and a detailed report with my letter will go to His Excellency accordingly.
Hon. Maridadi had suggested that we waiver the questions. Now there are a handful of Hon. Ministers present here, I want to stand guided. Can we proceed with the questions now that we have some Ministers here?
HON. MARIDADI: Mr. Speaker Sir, yes. Thank you for this opportunity but I think this is the last time that we are indulging Ministers – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- We could proceed and revert to the business as outlined on the Order Paper but it should be made very clear to Ministers that this is the last time that we are indulging them in this manner. We could proceed as it is outlined on the Order Paper.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order. I want to seek clarification on why the Chair requested Hon Maridadi’s opinion on whether the House should proceed with normal business in view of the fact that we now have Ministers in the House. I thought the proper procedure would have been to request and see whether the House agrees or not? Be that as it may, I think we should proceed with business as outlined on today’s Order Paper.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The Chair has discretion. There was no need for a seconder or objection on that matter. I think the facts were very clear and the matter was put in a very level headed manner. Should the situation arise in future, we shall be guided by your suggestion. I thank you.
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