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

This was indeed also confirmed by some of those who were present in the House.  The proper response was for Hon. Mliswa to wait for his turn and raise his point of order when duly recognised by the Hon. Deputy Speaker.  Indeed, Hon. Mliswa’s reaction serves to bolster some of the allegations raised against him by Hon. Kashambe.

In that respect, I rule that the conduct by Hon. Mliswa was outrageously unbecoming in terms of Standing Order Number 112 which provides that “any member who wilfully or vexatiously interrupts the orderly conduct of business in the House shall be guilt of contempt”. He used language that is unparliamentary and he was generally disorderly.

Further, he disrespected the Chair by not abiding by lawful instructions from the Chair, thus violating 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 or she may be suspended from the service of the House”.

The Chair’s decision is final, even if one may not agree with it, as provided for in Standing Order Number 206 which states that “in any matter for which these Standing Orders do not provide or which are not provided for by a Sessional or other Order.  The decision of the Chair must be final”.

3)  The Chair rules that the Hon. Member withdraws his unparliamentary language and apologises to the House for that language and his threatening disorderly behaviour.  I must warn Hon. Mliswa that stiffer and heavier penalties await him if this kind of behaviour is repeated. At the same time, I would like to urge all members to assist the Presiding Officers by not indulging in acts that provoke other members.

Hon. Members must behave in a way that does not bring the august House and dignity of Hon. Members of Parliament into disrepute.

Mutual respect must be the hallmark of the dignified decorum in the House, as guided by our Standing Orders and Rules, especially the Standing Orders sited in this ruling.  Hon. Mliswa, as per my ruling, you are requested to make an unreserved apology for the unparliamentary language.

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