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

HON. GONESE:   On a point of order Mr. Chairman.  Thank you very much Mr. Chairman, I was really disturbed…

THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON:  Please be brief.

HON. GONESE:  Yes, I will be brief.  The point is that  – [HON. MAHOKA:  On a point of order Mr. Chairman!] – as Members of Parliament in terms of Standing Order No. 69, we have got privileges to debate as Members of Parliament.  As you are aware in terms of Standing Order No. 173, members may speak more than once to a question.

We have got about 270 total membership of this august House and it is possible that all of them may want to speak in respect of any particular Clause.  I am disturbed Mr. Chairman when you say that we must deal with this amendment and conclude today.  I am not sure what the basis is, because that disturbs me a lot.  It then means our fundamental rights are going to be affected  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –  Yes, it means that our fundamental rights, it is in terms of Standing Order No. 69 (d).  It means that our fundamental rights are going to be adversely affected if the Chair has the opinion that this amendment must be disposed of in the course of today because in terms of our Standing Orders, if we are allowed to debate until we have exhausted.

We have got seven Clauses here and we do not know, we cannot preempt how many people want to debate.  For arguments sake, all Hon. Members in this august House may want to debate Clause 7 for example.  In that case, if we proceed on the attitude and basis that we have got to conclude today, then it means that our privileges and rights as Members of Parliament are being suppressed.  So, I just wanted to clarify that point so that we can be allowed to continue  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

*HON. MAHOKA:  On a point of order, thank you Mr. Speaker.  My point of order is that Hon. Gonese and Hon. Chamisa – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –  Hon. Gonese when they started speaking, they started by stating that they are lawyers and if indeed they are lawyers they started by pleading.  When you ask it does not mean that you will be given.  They have pleaded so we cannot continue listening to the same thing by two or so people.  What they are talking about does not help the country because we are tired of what they are doing here.  We cannot be held by these two people, we should listen to what the majority are saying out there.  What they are saying is rubbish …- [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

HON. P. D. SIBANDA:  On a point of order, Hon. Chair, the Hon. Member who just sat down is on record to have insulted the mover of this motion – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –  Why should she be allowed to  – [HON. MAHOKA: Inaudible interjections.] – Wakatuka Vice President ka iwewe!  Wakatuka Vice President ka iwewe!  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON:  Order, order Hon. Members.  There is no provision for a secret ballot therefore we proceed.

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