Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga who was Member of Parliament for Glen Norah at the time threatened to beat up fellow MP, war veterans leader Chenjerai Hunzvi for interrupting her several times during her speech about the declining access to medicines.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga had earlier railed against President Robert Mugabe saying his speech at the opening of Parliament was irrelevant to the country and that he was the source of the country’s problems and must resign.
This was the first parliament with a sizeable number of members from the opposition after the Movement for Democratic Change won 57 of the 120 contested seats.
The new parliament had 108 new members out of 150.
Speaker of Parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa warned Misihairabwi-Mushonga against being disrespectful of the Head of State which caused an uproar from the MDC bench.
MDC legislators also jeered Hunzvi when he made his maiden speech and nearly all of them walked out after his rambling discourse about the history of land deprivation by Zimbabwe’s colonisers.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 00HARARE5003, NEW ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENT STILL FEELING ITS WAY
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CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3328
PAGE 01 HARARE 05003 01 OF 03 110846Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00
DODE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 EXIM-01
E-00 FAAE-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 ITC-01 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00
P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00
DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /012W
——————83A2DF 110846Z /38
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7044
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 HARARE 005003
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
USUN FOR HOLBROOKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/10
SUBJECT: NEW ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENT STILL FEELING ITS WAY
REF: HARARE 4026
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 05003 01 OF 03 110846Z
CLASSIFIED BY AMB. TOM MCDONALD. REASONS: 1.5 (B) AND
(D).
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: SINCE ITS JULY 20 OPENING (REFTEL),
ZIMBABWE’S NEW PARLIAMENT HAS FALLEN INTO RAUCOUS DEBATE
AND POLITICAL SPARRING THAT HAS YIELDED FEW CONCRETE
RESULTS. ONE HUNDRED EIGHT OUT OF 150 MEMBERS ARE NEW
TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODY AND THIS HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN
THE LOW QUALITY OF DEBATE. MAIDEN SPEECHES AND
PAROCHIAL CONCERNS HAVE CONSUMED MUCH OF THE BODY’S TIME
SINCE IT OPENED (IT HAS BEEN IN SESSION ONLY FOUR OF THE
LAST SEVEN WEEKS) DESPITE A GENERAL RECOGNITION THAT
URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED ON THE COUNTRY’S DIRE ECONOMIC
CONDITION. MANY MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC)
MEMBERS HAVE LAMBASTED THE GOVERNMENT, AND IN SOME
CASES, PRESIDENT MUGABE PERSONALLY, FOR FAILING TO
ADDRESS ZIMBABWE’S MOUNTING WOES AND FOR ORCHESTRATING A
CAMPAIGN OF TERROR AGAINST ITS CITIZENS. BEHIND THE
SCENES, A MORE SOPHISTICATED COMMITTEE SYSTEM IS TAKING
SHAPE, AND THERE ARE SIGNS THAT MEMBERS WILL COOPERATE
ACROSS THE AISLE ON SOME ISSUES. HOWEVER, THE
WESTMINSTER-STYLE WHIP SYSTEM WILL LIKELY KEEP PARTY
MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IN LINE ON THE ISSUES
THAT COUNT MOST. END SUMMARY.
————————————
PARLIAMENT, BULLY PULPIT AND THEATRE
————————————
¶2. (U) AFTER A TWO-WEEK BREAK, PARLIAMENT RESUMED ITS
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 05003 01 OF 03 110846Z
SESSION ON AUGUST 29. THE DEBATE SINCE HAS BEEN
CHARACTERIZED BY A LEVEL OF POLITICAL ATTACKS AND
BACKBENCH SNIPING THAT WOULD PUT LONDON’S PARLIAMENT TO
SHAME. EVERY NEW PARLIAMENTARIAN IS BEING GIVEN A
CHANCE TO MAKE A MAIDEN SPEECH, AND THESE HAVE CONSUMED
MUCH OF THE PARLIAMENT’S TIME. MOST MDC MEMBERS HAVE
USED THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTACK THE GOVERNMENT FOR
ITS FAILURE TO TURN AROUND THE COUNTRY’S SLIDING ECONOMY
WHILE POINTING OUT THE DECLINE IN HEALTH SERVICES OR
LACK OF ROAD MAINTENANCE IN THEIR HOME DISTRICTS. SOME
MDC MEMBERS HAVE ATTACKED MUGABE PERSONALLY FOR THE
VIOLENCE LEADING UP TO THE JUNE PARLIAMENTARY VOTE, AND
THESE SPEECHES HAVE RECEIVED PROMINENT COVERAGE IN THE
INDEPENDENT “DAILY NEWS.” EVELYN MASAITI OF NYANGA
DESCRIBED MUGABE ON AUGUST 31 AS A FATHER WHO HAS
BETRAYED HIS CHILDREN AND WHO IS NO LONGER WORTHY OF
BEING A FATHER. (NOTE: EVELYN MASAITI IS ONE OF THE
PLAINTIFFS IN THE CIVIL SUIT FILED AGAINST THE PRESIDENT
IN NEW YORK. MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE
PLAINTIFFS WILL FOLLOW SEPTEL. END NOTE.) OUTSPOKEN MP
FOR GLEN NORAH, PRISCILLA MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA, RAILED
AGAINST MUGABE ON SEPTEMBER 6, SAYING HIS OPENING SPEECH
TO PARLIAMENT (REFTEL) WAS IRRELEVANT TO THE COUNTRY AND
THAT HE IS THE SOURCE OF THE COUNTRY’S PROBLEMS AND MUST
RESIGN. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE EMMERSON MNANGAGWA
CAUTIONED THE MP AGAINST BEING DISRESPECTFUL OF THE HEAD
OF STATE, WHICH CAUSED AN UPROAR FROM THE MDC BENCH.
¶3. (U) THE THEATRICS GOT INTO HIGH GEAR ON AUGUST 31
WHEN MISIHAIRABWI THREATENED TO BEAT UP FELLOW MP – AND
WAR VETERANS LEADER – CHENJERAI HUNZVI FOR INTERRUPTING
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 05003 01 OF 03 110846Z
HER SEVERAL TIMES DURING HER SPEECH ABOUT THE DECLINING
ACCESS TO MEDICINE. DURING THE SEPTEMBER 6 SESSION
ATTENDED BY POLOFF, MDC MEMBERS RETURNED THE FAVOR BY
HECKLING AND JEERING HUNZVI’S MAIDEN SPEECH AND BROKE
INTO LAUGHTER WHEN HUNZVI SUGGESTED FOREIGN DONORS
SHOULD PROVIDE TRACTORS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS. HALFWAY
THROUGH HUNZVI’S RAMBLING DISCOURSE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF
LAND DEPRIVATION BY ZIMBABWE’S COLONIZERS, NEARLY ALL OF
THE MDC MEMBERS WALKED OUT.
¶4. (C) SPEAKER MNANGAGWA SO FAR APPEARS FAIRLY EVEN-
HANDED IN HIS RUNNING OF THE PROCEEDINGS, CHOOSING HIS
INTERJECTIONS SPARINGLY AND JUDICIOUSLY. ALTHOUGH HE
INTERVENES WHEN THE PRESIDENT’S NAME IS DISPARAGED, HE
ALSO QUIETS THE RAUCOUS ZANU-PF BENCH WHEN IT DISRUPTS
AN MDC MOTION. ON THE OTHER HAND, DEPUTY SPEAKER EDNA
MADZONGWE, WHO ACTS AS SPEAKER IN MNANGAGWA’S ABSENCE,
HAS BEEN ACCUSED BY MDC MEMBERS OF STIFLING DEBATE.
DURING THE QUESTION TIME ON AUGUST 30, THE ENTIRE MDC
PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION THREATENED TO WALK OUT WHEN
MADZONGWE REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO ALLOW QUESTIONS OF A
DEPUTY MINISTER ON THE FAST-TRACK LAND RESETTLEMENT
PROGRAM. LIKE IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, OPPOSITION
MEMBERS PERIODICALLY HAVE THE CHANCE TO QUESTION
GOVERNMENT MINISTERS ABOUT THEIR POLICIES AND ACTIONS.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3329
PAGE 01 HARARE 05003 02 OF 03 110846Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00
DODE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 EXIM-01
E-00 FAAE-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 ITC-01 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00
P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00
DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /012W
——————83A2F3 110846Z /38
P 110843Z SEP 00
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7045
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 HARARE 005003
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
USUN FOR HOLBROOKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/10
SUBJECT: NEW ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENT STILL FEELING ITS WAY
UNTIL THE SITTING OF THIS PARLIAMENT, QUESTION TIME HAD
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 05003 02 OF 03 110846Z
BEEN A NON-EVENT THAT MINISTERS SELDOM WORRIED ABOUT.
NOW THEY ARE BEING SUBJECTED TO CLOSE AND PUBLIC
SCRUTINY.
———————————-
PARLIAMENTARY CRASH COURSE FOR MDC
———————————-
¶5. (C) ON SEPTEMBER 1 MDC MP FOR HARARE EAST TENDAI
BITI INFORMED POLOFF THAT THE MDC’S MAIN GOAL IN
PARLIAMENT IS TO CREATE MORE POLITICAL SPACE FOR THE
OPPOSITION. IN ORDER TO DO THIS, IT WILL FOCUS ON
PRESSING FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION, EXPOSING GOVERNMENT
MISMANAGEMENT, AND GAINING MORE CONTROL OVER THE BUDGET.
THE MDC WILL NOT PUSH FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF MUGABE,
ACCORDING TO BITI, AS THE TIME WAS NOT YET RIPE. NOR
DOES IT REALISTICALLY EXPECT TO GET FAR WITH ITS
REFORMIST AGENDA WHILE ZANU-PF HAS A PARLIAMENTARY
MAJORITY. BITI ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MDC MPS ARE AT A
DISADVANTAGE IN HOUSE DELIBERATIONS SINCE NOT ALL OF
THEM HAVE MASTERED PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES, SUCH AS
TABLING MOTIONS. MANY MDC MPS ARE STILL GRAPPLING WITH
FINDING OFFICE SPACE AND SETTING UP TELEPHONES, AND ARE
RELYING ON PERSONAL FUNDS UNTIL GOVERNMENT MONEY IS
DISBURSED TO COVER THESE EXPENSES.
¶6. (C) MOST MDC MPS ATTENDED TWO WORKSHOPS SPONSORED BY
THE INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTUE (IRI) IN JULY
AND AUGUST TO HELP GET THEM UP TO SPEED ON PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURE. A SIMILAR PARLIAMENTARY TRAINING WORKSHOP IS
BEING SPONSORED SEPTEMBER 24-25 BY THE ZIMBABWE CHAMBER
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 05003 02 OF 03 110846Z
OF COMMERCE AND THE CONFEDERATION OF ZIMBABWEAN
INDUSTRIES (CZI), AND WILL INCLUDE MPS FROM BOTH ZANU-PF
AND THE MDC. ACCORDING TO THE IRI RESPRESENTATIVE HERE,
AGENTS FROM THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE ORGANIZATION (CIO)
SHOWED UP AT THE JULY WORKSHOP FOR MDC MEMBERS, ASKING
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO WAS SPONSORING THE EVENT AND WHO WAS
ATTENDING IT. THE ENCOUNTER DEMONSTRATED THE SENIOR
GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP’S ONGOING MISTRUST OF THE MDC.
DESPITE THE GOZ’S MISTRUST, BITI STATED THAT MDC MEMBERS
ARE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES WITH NEWLY ELECTED, MOSTLY
YOUNGER ZANU-PF MPS, WHO SEEM RECEPTIVE TO REACHING AN
UNDERSTANDING ON A VARIETY OF SECONDARY ISSUES.
HOWEVER, BITI DOES NOT EXPECT ANY OF THE ZANU-PF MPS TO
BREAK RANKS WITH THE PARTY ON THE CRUCIAL ISSUES OF THE
DAY SUCH AS LAND REFORM.
—————————–
REMAKING THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM
—————————–
¶7. (C) SINCE THE MDC NOW CONTROLS MORE THAN A THIRD OF
PARLIAMENT, MUCH IS BEING DONE TO REVAMP THE BODY’S
COMMITTEE SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO AUSTIN ZVOMA, THE CLERK
OF PARLIAMENT AND HIGHEST RANKING CIVIL SERVANT IN
PARLIAMENT. TWO OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES HAVE BEEN THE
REFORMULATION OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEES TO REFLECT THE NEW
CABINET MINISTRIES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF “SHADOW”
MINISTERS, WHO REPRESENT THE OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT ON
ISSUES DEALT WITH BY THE GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES. THE
STANDING RULES AND ORDER COMMITTEE, COMPRISED OF BOTH
ZANU-PF AND MDC MEMBERS, HAS ALREADY MET AND DETERMINED
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 HARARE 05003 02 OF 03 110846Z
THAT THE CHAIRMANSHIPS OF THE 12 PORTFOLIO COMMITTEES
WILL BE DIVIDED EVENLY BETWEEN ZANU-PF AND MDC. THE IRI
REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED US THAT THE MDC IS LIKELY TO
CHAIR THE EDUCATION, FOREIGN AFFAIRS, JUSTICE,
ENVIRONMENT, AND HEALTH COMMITTEES. BESIDES THE
STANDING RULES AND ORDER COMMITTEE, THERE ARE NORMALLY
FIVE OTHER STANDING COMMITTEES THAT INCLUDE THE PUBLIC
ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, WHICH OVERSEES GOVERNMENT SPENDING
LEGISLATED BY PARLIAMENT, AND THE ALL-IMPORTANT BUDGET
AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH APPROVES THE GOVERNMENT’S
BUDGET. ZANU-PF WILL PROBABLY KEEP THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF
THE MORE INFLUENTIAL STANDING COMMITTEES, SUCH AS BUDGET
AND FINANCE. PARLIAMENT IS DUE TO APPOINT THE
COMMITTEES AND THEIR CHAIRMEN ON SEPTEMBER 12.
¶8. (C) THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE IS DUE TO BEGIN
CONSIDERING THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGET IN LATE OCTOBER. IT
WILL SCRUTINIZE THE BUDGET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, ZVOMA
SAYS, BEFORE SUBMITTING IT TO THE WHOLE HOUSE FOR
DEBATE. THE DEADLINE FOR PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET IS
JANUARY 1, THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. THE
GOVERNMENT CANNOT LEGALLY LEVY TAXES WITHOUT BUDGETARY
APPROVAL FROM PARLIAMENT, THE CLERK STATED. (COMMENT:
GIVEN THE NEW MAKEUP OF THIS PARLIAMENT, BUDGETARY
DEBATES ARE BOUND TO BE HEATED AND HIGHLY CONTENTIOUS.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3330
PAGE 01 HARARE 05003 03 OF 03 110846Z
ACTION AF-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 CTME-00
DODE-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 EXIM-01
E-00 FAAE-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 ITC-01 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00
P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PMB-00
DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /012W
——————83A2F7 110846Z /38
P 110843Z SEP 00
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7046
INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 HARARE 005003
SIPDIS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAYLE SMITH
LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY
PARIS FOR BISA WILLIAMS
USUN FOR HOLBROOKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/10
SUBJECT: NEW ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENT STILL FEELING ITS WAY
FINANCE MINISTER SIMBA MAKONI DREW LOUD JEERS OF “SHAME,
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 HARARE 05003 03 OF 03 110846Z
SHAME” FROM MDC MEMBERS ON AUGUST 30 WHEN HE DISCLOSED
THAT THE GOZ HAD SPENT NEARLY US$200 MILLION ON ITS
INTERVENTION IN THE DROC. END COMMENT.)
————————-
REAL ROLE FOR PARTY WHIPS
————————-
¶9. (C) ANOTHER IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE WITH THIS
PARLIAMENT IS THE NEW PROMINENCE OF PARTY WHIPS. IN
PREVIOUS PARLIAMENTS, WITH ZANU-PF’S HUGE MAJORITY,
THERE WAS LITTLE CHANCE OF ANY MEASURE BEING DEFEATED.
IF SOME PARLIAMENTARIANS APPEARED TO WAIVER IN THEIR
SUPPORT OF A PARTICULAR BILL, ZANU-PF WOULD RELY
PRIMARILY ON SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO APPLY THE
NECESSARY PRESSURE (EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, AS JUSTICE
MINISTER, WAS NOTABLE IN THIS ROLE). NOW, WITH A
SIZEABLE OPPOSITION, THE POTENTIAL FOR DEFECTION IS MUCH
GREATER, AND INDIVIDUAL MPS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE
WILL HAVE POTENTIALLY GREATER BARGAINING POWER WITH
THEIR RESPECTIVE PARTIES. HENCE, THERE IS A GREATER
NEED FOR THE WHIPS TO ENSURE THAT PARTY MEMBERS STAY IN
LINE AND VOTE WITH THE PARTY ON KEY MOTIONS AND BILLS.
BOTH ZANU-PF AND MDC HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REIGN IN
RECALCITRANT MPS FOR PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT WENT AGAINST
PARTY POLICY.
¶10. (C) COMMENT: ZIMBABWE’S FIFTH PARLIAMENT IS STILL
GOING THROUGH A TUMULTUOUS INFANCY, AND IT IS LIKELY TO
HAVE MANY TANTRUMS BEFORE IT GROWS UP. HOWEVER, IT IS
DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE EVEN A MORE MATURE PARLIAMENT
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 HARARE 05003 03 OF 03 110846Z
ALTERING GOVERNMENT POLICY ON KEY ISSUES SUCH AS LAND
RESETTLEMENT, ECONOMIC REFORM, AND MILITARY ENGAGEMENT
IN THE DROC. ZANU-PF REMAINS IN FIRM CONTROL OF ALL THE
INSTRUMENTS OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING PARLIAMENT. IF
NOTHING ELSE, THE REVITALIZED LEGISLATURE IS LIKELY TO
RAISE THE PROFILE OF ORDINARY CITIZENS’ CONCERNS, SUCH
AS PRICE INCREASES AND THE DECLINE IN GOVERNMENT
SERVICES. THIS WILL INCREASE THE PRESSURE ON THE
GOVERNMENT TO GET ITS FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER SO THAT
IT CAN AT LEAST START TACKLING PROBLEMS IN A MEANINGFUL
WAY BEFORE THE 2002 ELECTION SEASON. PARLIAMENT RISKS
DISENCHANTING THE PUBLIC AND RELEGATING ITSELF TO
IRRELEVANCY, HOWEVER, IF IT CANNOT GET PAST THE STAGE OF
CONSTANT POLITICAL AND PERSONAL ATTACKS. THE BUDGET
BATTLE LATER THIS YEAR WILL TEST THE NEW PARLIAMENT’S
METTLE AND GIVE US A GOOD INDICATION OF WHETHER THIS
PARLIAMENT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON TURNING THE
COUNTRY AROUND.
MCDONALD
CONFIDENTIAL
>
(54 VIEWS)
