What Ziyambi said about the cash crisis in Zimbabwe in full

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order Hon. Sibanda. The question was about cash in the banks and you stick to that.

HON. P. D. SIBANDA: It was cash versus the 100 days.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Yes, you stick to that.

HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Okay Hon. Speaker. Under the circumstances Hon. Minister, now that you said the cash shortages were going to be resolved beyond 100 days, would we say that Government has therefore failed to resolve this cash crisis and that if it has failed, is there any reasonable cause why…

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order Hon. Sibanda. You are repeating and the Minister did not say that. He said it cannot be turned overnight. So, please take your seat?

HON. MAONDERA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. Hon. Minister, it looks like the cash situation is worsening…

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Are you on a supplementary question or on a new question because I recognised you in the first instance that you stood up for it.

HON. MAONDERA: Okay, I can go for a new question.

Hon. Mliswa and Hon. Gonese having stood up for supplementary questions.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Unless you are not repeating Hon. Mliswa. If you are repeating, I will just ask you to sit down.

HON. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue of cash is important especially now when the tobacco farmers are not even accessing their own cash. They have worked hard for the season. They need their cash, they are not getting it and the tobacco farmers are earning foreign currency. The gold miners get foreign currency because they are generating foreign currency. Why are the tobacco farmers not getting foreign currency when they are generating foreign currency because if there are no bond notes, they are allowed to have that? So, the Minister must respond to this cash crisis that even those who are working hard have no access to their cash when it is time for them to get their cash. What is the position in terms of the access of the money to the tobacco farmers in this season?

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, may be the pertinent question is on foreign currency. Otherwise the other question has already been attended to by the Minister.

HON. MUNENGAMI: On a point of order Hon. Speaker.  Just before you answer, I think Hon. Speaker to be honest; you are sort of protecting the Minister. Allow the Members of Parliament to ask questions to the Minister. Do not try to protect the Ministers. The issue of cash shortage is a big issue in this country and if you can allow such an issue just to be like that, we do not think that it will be fair. Thank you Hon. Speaker.

HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Mliswa for the question which I request him to put in writing for onward transmission to the relevant Minister to address. It is not a policy issue. Thank you.

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