Zimbabwe legislator says MPs should not ask Deputy Ministers questions because they have deputy answers

Q & A

 HON. MUTSEYAMI:  Thank you Madam Speaker and good afternoon Madam Speaker.  My point of order is, as entitled to me as a Member of this House, the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe – I have noted that this country has failed to address a lot of issues across the sector in terms of the requirements of the Zimbabweans’.  However Madam Speaker, the Executive has a responsibility to come to this House to answer questions which would be coming from the Hon. Members across the board.

Madam Speaker, as I speak today in this House of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, we have seen lots of stories across the country in newspapers of Ministers who have been implicated in crosscut issues – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order.  Hon. Members can we have order please?  Hon. Member, please we cannot discuss stories from the papers.  If you can come to your point of order please?

 HON. MUTSEYAMI:  Thank you.  That was just a reference of hon. Ministers who are implicated in corruption.  However, that is not the issue.  My issue is that today, the nation is entitled for us Members of Parliament to ask Cabinet Ministers questions which they must address to the conclusivity of the response which we expect them to do.  Unfortunately Madam Speaker, there is hardly any Cabinet Minister in this House.  We only have Deputy Ministers who have deputy answers and who have never been in Cabinet meetings.  So, it is important for this House to appreciate the importance of having Ministers in this House to answer questions.  This country is bleeding right now and it needs answers and solutions but Ministers cannot come to answer so that we have solutions of this country.  People are suffering out there but Ministers cannot come here.  What are we doing?  Why are we here?  Where are the Ministers?  Where are they? – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order.  Hon. Member, I do agree with your point of order.  I was briefed that the Ministers are now sitting at their Cabinet meeting, but we have deputy Ministers to take their positions while they are out.  This is why they have their deputies.  So, those with questions where the Ministers are here, can please continue with asking their questions.

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