THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: We are not in the normal question time which we normally have on Thursdays. We are seeking clarifications from the Minister. So, there is no supplementary question once somebody has asked their question. If you want to ask another question you just stand up. I had recognised Hon Members in order so allow me to finish the people I have on my list then I will come back to fresh ones. In the interest of being fair, I started with Hon Sen. Mudzuri now it is Hon. Sen. Makoni.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: On a point of order. I think you are being unfair to us. We were stopped from asking questions and were told to seek clarification. Asking and seeking clarification is the same. Mr. President, we were waiting for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for more than three weeks. As the Leader of the Opposition, I think you must allow us to seek clarification because we went out failing to ask questions. I asked Madam President why the Minister was not answering the currency issue. The whole budget and his speech are based on the currency we are using. If we forget that the currency we are using today – we were doing budget yesterday and we were wondering what currency we were using both you and me. The Minister has admitted…
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Senator Mudzuri, we have got rules which we follow. We have a statement which the Minister has made and now I am giving you the opportunity in terms of our Standing Rules and Orders to seek clarification from the Minister and I have given the order of the people who are going to seek clarifications.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: Mr. President, it does not help to give an order. I asked a question and I am following up after he answered the question.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: He has answered the question.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: No, people do not understanding his answer. He has not answered the question properly in the sense that there is RTGs, Nostro US$, bond and all these things are happening in the market. As we are doing a budget today and going for the budget, we wanted clarification on the currency we are budgeting on and also what should be used outside. If we do not have that I can laugh at this whole statement and say Hon. Ncube we might be headed for a disaster because you have not looked at your terrain. If you do not first answer the question on the meaning of RTGs US$ account or Nostro account. If you go to the bank tomorrow that is what you are told.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Hon. Sen. Mudzuri, I have to stop you at that stage. The Minister has answered for your benefit. I will ask the Hon. Minister to answer your question again. Minister would you like to answer that question again.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: I have already answered the question Mr. President. Let me thank again Hon. Se. Mudzuri for that question. We are in a multi-currency regime. That is the official position. We have guaranteed a one to one equivalent and I urge you to use the US dollar as your accounting currency. Accounting currency I repeat. We have always done that so, please let us maintain that. I thank you Mr. President.
(864 VIEWS)