What Zimbabwe MPs said about the Constitution Amendment Bill- Part Five

 The Judiciary and Parliament are two pillars that people out there have to protect them. If you take the power of those two pillars then you concentrate all the power in one man, that man in future could be – I have said this as James Maridadi. What will stop James Maridadi from going to my father-in-law’s house and appoint my brother-in-law as Attorney General, go and appoint my wife’s sister as Chief Justice, go and appoint my neighbour’s son as Judge President and appoint my friend? People with qualifications that are lawyers with the prerequisite experience, but because it is concentrated in one man, there are no checks and balances. The reason we have a Constitution is so that we have checks and balances.

The President cannot go and declare a war without coming to Parliament. He will have to come to Parliament and subject himself to the debate of Parliament and state the reasons why he declared a war. If Parliament is not happy with the reasons that are given, our soldiers will be recalled to come back home. I urge Hon. Vice President that in the name of the Almighty, we have put this on record because we do not want our children and their children to come and defecate on our graves. I thank you.

 *HON. MAONDERA: I spoke to people that I am representing over the weekend, that is people in Glen Norah and they sent me to ask the Vice President if this amendment that is taking place has anything to do with ZANU PF succession plan. They also asked me to again ask if this amendment – [AN HON. MEMBER: Unorwara.]- If we talk about illnesses then we will say a lot of things. If we want to talk about the sick then …

 HON. MUNENGAMI:  On a point of order Hon. Chair.  It is very unfortunate Hon. Chair that we have got a Member of Parliament who represents a constituency, who comes here and says “usataure zvaTsvangirayi anorwara.”  Honestly, as you are sitting there as the Chair, you just ignore it as if it is normal business – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –  At the end of the day Hon. Chair, if we really want to start talking about sick people, we might not end up doing things the proper way.  I think it is in the best interest of this Parliament for the Hon. Member to withdraw his statement and at least we move forward.

THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON:  Order, order!  Unfortunately, I did not hear that.

 HON. MUNENGAMI:  The reason why you did not hear it Hon. Chair is the reason why we are now telling you so that at least you know exactly what happened.  It is very unfortunate.  He is running away and you are saying you did not hear it.  It is not fair.

 THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON:  Hon. Pedzisayi, before you dash out, resume your seat – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – Order Hon. Members.  If you continue, I will let him out.  Hon. Pedzisayi, did you make such remarks?

 *HON. PEDZISAYI:  Hon. Chair, I did not say that he is sick and he is going to die.

 *THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON:  We will check our audio recordings to find out whether you did not say those words.

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