The debate that led to Mliswa’s suspension from Zimbabwe Parliament

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, order Hon. Mliswa.  The Standing Order says and this will apply to Hon. Sikhala.  If there is a Member who is making certain a pronouncement, bring this to the attention of the Chair.

HON. T. MLISWA:  Mr. Speaker, I brought it up.  On Hon. Chanda, I brought it up.  It was well heard.  I pleaded that I am being attacked, I kept on being attacked   I said I can attack back.  Over my dead father’s body, people heard me say that, please rescue me.  I was being attacked but in your ruling you did not even reprimand him.  The truth must be said and I am prepared to be suspended for the truth.  My Constituency is more important than being in this House.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Hon. Mliswa, you are removed from the House for the next six sittings.  – [HON. T. MLISWA: Even for good, I do not like being here.  It is a useless House Mr. Speaker, it must be fair.  Not partisan.  My Constituency is more important.] –  Hon. T. Mliswa left the House.

Earlier the Speaker had made the following ruling:

HON. SPEAKER’S RULING ALLEGED FAVOURITISM TOWARDS HON. T. MLISWA

THE HON. SPEAKER: This is the Speaker’s ruling on allegations of favouritism towards Hon. Mliswa and the alleged misconduct by Hon. Mliswa.

Background; this ruling seeks to address the events that occurred in the House during the sitting on the 4th June, 2020 at the commencement of business when Hon. Kashambe rose on a point of privilege. On Tuesday, 4th June, 2020 Hon. Kashambe rose on a point of privilege. He alleged that there was unequal treatment afforded to Hon. Members of the National Assembly during debate on motions and cited Hon. Mliswa as an example of one of the Members “who is allowed to say what he wants, when he wants to speak and at whatever time”.

Whilst Hon. Kashambe was still on the floor, Hon. Mliswa stood up on a point of order and the Hon. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly ordered Hon. Mliswa to take his seat until Hon. Kashambe had finished his speech. Hon. Mliswa did not take his seat and there were murmurs from several Members who were not happy with Hon.

Mliswa’s refusal to take his seat.

In this regard, Hon. Mliswa’s conduct contravenes Standing Order Number 110 (1) which provides that “any Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or persistently and wilfully disrupts the Business of the House commits an offence for which he/she may be suspended from the service of the House”. At that point, Hon. Mliswa alleged that Hon. Chanda had insulted him. In the ensuing commotion, Hon. Mliswa charged towards Hon. Chanda who was seated at the back of the  Chamber shouting at him. When he got to where Hon. Chanda was, Hon. Mliswa grabbed and pulled him by the tie before he was restrained by other Hon. Members.

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