No more unsubstantiated allegations in parliament

The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda today ruled that no member shall be allowed to make unsubstantiated allegations against other members and officers of Parliament or members of the public except by way of a substantive and clearly formulated motion with immediate effect. Mudenda made the ruling after a spate of allegations against ministers and chief executives of state enterprises during the current debate on corruption. The allegations included ministers’ wives receiving salaries from state enterprises that they did not work for, salaries exceeding US$300 000 for some CEOs and gifts that included top of the range vehicles. “The Chair shall demand objective and verifiable evidence in support of such a motion. Any violation of this order will be met with appropriate remedial action, including initiating charges of contempt of parliament against the Member of Parliament suspected of abusing parliamentary privileges, particularly through uttering statements that are false, malicious and likely to unjustly injure other Members of Parliament as well as members of the public. The Chair also hereby rules that no member shall be allowed to use this House of Parliament to attack the integrity of the Administration of Parliament except by using appropriate channels as provided for in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly section 135, 151 and 154 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” he said.

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