THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order at the back. There is a lot of movement and a lot of talking there. You may continue Hon. Holder.
HON. HOLDER: SMM Holdings used to produce enough asbestos that would go to Turnall Asbestos and they would produce pipes, roofing material and stuff like that. Up to now, most of the houses that you see within the country….
HON. MLISWA: I have a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of order is out of this Constitution. I have just come from the Heroes Acre and I want to read our Constitution’s Preamble to you. It says, “United in our diversity by our own common desire for freedom, justice, equality and our own heroic resistance to colonialism, racism and all forms of domination and oppression; exalting the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives during the Chimurenga and national liberation struggles; honouring our fore bearers and compatriots who toured for the progress of our country.” The last paragraph of the Preamble says, “in imploring the guidance support of the Almighty, here make this Constitution and commit ourselves to its fundamental law of our beloved country.” I am coming from the Heroes Acre and I am very disappointed that Members of Parliament are not respecting the fallen heroes of this country. I do not care which political party you belong to but we have committed ourselves to this Constitution – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- and it is about time. We are here sitting in this House because of the blood which was shed and in our diversity, we must be able to respect that and we must be above that – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- I am disappointed that even His Excellency recognised the Members of Parliament in his salutation. Where are we? Are you here to represent your own agendas or you are here to represent the people who voted for you? I am saddened as Zimbabweans that we are now and we will not anywhere. The late Joshua Nkomo and Tongogara are there. Why can you not respect them? You must transcend beyond political affiliation and rise above personal issues that you have and be Zimbabweans. We will not accept this – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order please. Order, order? Order Hon. Members! Yes, we hear you Hon. Mliswa but as you are aware, the House had to sit and some Hon. Members had to respect that. We hear were you are coming from and it is important that we respect heroes – [HON. MLISWA: The House sits at 1415 hours and the proceedings were at 1000hrs.] – Order! – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- Order! Order! Order please! Order please! Order please! – [HON. MLISWA: Inaudible interjection.] – Hon. Mliswa! Order! Order please! Hon. Mliswa, what could have been a good gesture might end up being spoiled – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members. Let us not be excited. Let us not forget that we are in an honourable House. Hon. Mliswa, a good gesture must end up as a good gesture. Let us not over do it.
*HON. MURAI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker, we are black people and we share the same culture. All of us respect the dead but as we are respecting the dead people, no one should judge or take stock of how we mourn and show our respect. It does not help for someone to show us how to mourn. We grieve differently. Otherwise we are grieving more than those who are at the Heroes’ Acre. So, we should be respected because we grieve differently.
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