Opposition member privileged to be Mugabe’s niece

An opposition Member of Parliament Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga yesterday complained about why ministers were not in Parliament for question time- which takes place every Wednesday when Parliament is sitting- saying that as a niece to the President she was aware that he had returned to the country at 2 am and cabinet was only meeting today.

President Robert Mugabe returned home yesterday from Equatorial Guinea where he chaired an a conference on Africa’s fight against ebola.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga was involved in a drama minutes later, which saw her being kicked out of the House, when she asked Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa why Zimbabwe was allowing used panties for women into the country as these could cause infections.

She brought women’s used panties which she displayed as she asked her question and then went on to place them on a table in front of Chinamasa before being ordered out of the House.

Chinamasa said he understood her concern and would see whether he could address the matter in his mid-term review next week.

Q & A:

MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon. Misihairabwi?

MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. Having been so privileged that I am a niece to the President of this country, I know that he arrived at 2.00 a.m. yesterday, and the ministers are only going to have Cabinet on Thursday. We are wondering that we still do not have ministers when we know that the President is back in the country………………………………………………

+MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Chinamasa. ….

MR. WADYAJENA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, you are giving too much time to the opposition -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Zwizwai. What is your point of order Hon. Wadyajena? -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Hon. Wadyajena, address the Chair.

MR. WADYAJENA: We raised this concern last week. If you look at it Madam Speaker, the revolutionary party must have at least …. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members! Order, order hon. members on my left side! -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order hon. members! May I take this opportunity to advise the House that, according to the Standing Rules and Orders of this Parliament, they have not yet brought the amendment in our regulation book. So, we will be waiting for the statistics that they will give us on this matter. So on this session, we will remain at the judgment of the Speaker.

So, Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, continue with your question. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order hon. members! Order Hon. Matangira. Can we allow Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga to ask her question?

MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Ndichakurova ….. no, no, no, I think you have gone too far.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, I will not allow you to continue with the question if you conduct in that behaviour. Order, order hon. members.

Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga I have given you the opportunity to speak to me as the Chair and ask the Minister a question.

+MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I am directing my question to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. What is Government saying on its policy of allowing second hand underwear into the country, particularly for females? I have brought the exhibits with me here. How is Government going to rectify this matter because this underwear can infect you with diseases if you put them on? I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her question. She could have made the same point without having to give exhibits. I understand her concern which is that, we are allowing used clothes which have unhealthy implications on our population. I agree with her and I will see whether in the Mid-Term Review Statement next week, I can make an intervention to ban such material. I thank you.

After Minister Chinamasa’s answer, Mrs. Misihairabwi-Mushonga placed a small plastic packet of the ladies underwear on the table in front of Minister Chinamasa. She straight away proceeded to where Mr. Wadyajena was sitting (in the front row where Ministers sit)

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga; Sergeant-At-Arms, can you escort her out of the House? –

[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order, order hon. members!

Mrs. Misihairabwi-Mushonga was escorted out of the House by the Serjeant-At-Arms. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order! I will not hesitate to throw people out of this House if you continue with this behaviour. Order, I have recognised Hon. Sibanda. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order hon. members. Can you please take your seats?

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