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

In this instance, Hon. Mliswa’s conduct was grossly disorderly as envisaged in Standing Order Number 108 (1) which provides as follows; “the Chair must order a Member whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the premises of Parliament for the remainder of that day’s sitting”.

The Hon. Deputy Speaker ordered Hon. Mliswa to leave the House and he was escorted out of the House through the eastern exit door. Immediately after exiting the House, Hon. Mliswa re­entered the House using the southern door and addressed himself to the Hon. Deputy Speaker accusing her of “killing Parliament and not protecting him when he had been insulted”. He then again left the House.

By re­entering the House in defiance of the Chair’s order, Hon. Mliswa breached Standing Order Number 112 which provides that “any Member who wilfully disobeys any lawful order of the House shall be guilty of contempt”. Both Hon. Kashambe and Hon. Kwaramba appealed to the Chair to rule on the matter.

The Chair indicated that a ruling would be made on the matter and my ruling is as follows;

On the point of order raised by Hon. Kashambe, I would like to assure this House that as Presiding Officers, we have no intention to give preferential treatment to any members of the House and we will continue to give each and every member an opportunity to speak on any motion or subject when they rise to be recognised by the Chair.  We have even relied on the list of names submitted to us by the whips, especially on Wednesdays during question time.  We will continue to be guided by Standing Rules and Orders in discharging our duties impartially.

As an example and in particular reference to Hon. Mliswa whom Hon. Kashambe cited, both myself and the Hon. Deputy Speaker have on a number of occasions ruled Hon. Mliswa out of order and have even asked him to leave the House, depending on the circumstances.  For example Hon. Mliswa was ordered to leave the House for disorderly behaviour on the 13th February, 25th September, 23rd October and 13^th November 2019.

Further, on the allegations that Hon. Mliswa made unfounded allegations, again the Hon. Chair would like to confirm to the august House that Hon. Mliswa indeed made unsubstantiated allegations that maligned the Chair.  However, after being confronted on the matter to substantiate his allegation, Hon. Mliswa duly apologised to the Chair and to this august House. Consequently, the matter was closed.

2) I now proceed to the reaction of Hon. Mliswa – the record indicates that Hon. Mliswa left his seat and went to where Hon. Chanda was seated and used unprintable language that is recorded as unparliamentary in terms of Standing Order 93, (1d) which provides that  “no member shall use derogatory, disrespectful, offensive or unbecoming words against the President, Parliament or its members, the Speaker;”

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