Zimbabwe legislators must display zero tolerance to corruption-Parliamentary Committee

HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Madam Speaker, I rise to present the Report on the Committee of the Privileges on the inquiry into allegations of solicitation of A bribe against four Hon. Members of Parliament.  Madam Speaker, this is a long report.  Unfortunately, procedurally, I cannot abridge it, I need to read the details to enable the Members to also debate subsequently.  The only part that I will summarise is the Executive summary where we are simply thanking the Members of the Committee whom I will mention later by name and then thank the Speaker of Parliament, staff of Parliament and all other people who assisted us in this exercise to come up with this report.

Madam Speaker, I will start with the establishment, mandate and composition of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order No. 24 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, the Committee was established on 18th February, 2019.  The Terms of reference of the Committee were to inquire into the allegations of corruption against Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Chikomba, Hon. Ndebele and Hon. Sibanda.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Chief. A Ford Ranger ADL3258 is blocking other vehicles, please may the owner go and remove it.

HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker.

HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA:

Executive Summary

The Committee of Privileges, hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”was established on 18 February 2019 by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders to inquire into the allegations of corruption against Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Chikomba, Hon. Ndebele and Hon. Sibanda. The Committee was mandated to inquire into the allegations and table a report to the National Assembly. This Report therefore contains the processes, procedures adopted by the Committee, the submissions made by various witnesses during the inquiry, the observations, findings and recommendations of the Committee.

The Chairperson of the Committee takes this opportunity to express his gratitude to all the Members of the Committee for their immense contribution to the inquiry that culminated in this Report. Similarly, the Committee wishes to thank the Offices of the Speaker, Clerk of Parliament and staff for the support in the execution of its mandate and the production of this report.

Against this background, and, on behalf of the Committee, I have the honour and pleasure to present this report to the National Assembly.

1. Part I: Establishment, Mandate and Composition of the Committee

Pursuant to Standing Order 24 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, the Committee was established on 18 February 2019. The terms of reference of the Committee were to inquire into the allegations of corruption against Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Chikomba, Hon. Ndebele and Hon. Sibanda.

In particular, the Committee was mandated to-

1.1           inquire if Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Chikomba, Hon. Ndebele and Hon. Sibanda solicited a bribe of $400 000 from Mr. Goddard as facilitation fees for Mr. Goddard to secure a mining contract at Hwange Colliery Company;

1.2        determine if the conduct of the four Honourable Members of Parliament constitutes a breach of privilege amounting to contempt of Parliament; and

1.3   report in writing, its findings and recommendations to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders on or before 15 March 2019 and to the National Assembly on or before 18 March 2019.

The following seven Members of Parliament were appointed to serve in the Committee:-

(i)            Hon. Sen. Chief F. Z. Charumbira (Chairperson);

(ii)            Hon. J. T. Samukange;

(iii)            Hon. C. Madiwa;

(iv)            Hon. I. Gonese;

(v)            Hon. T. Mavetera;

(vi)            Hon. P. Mpariwa; and

(vii)            Hon. Dr. Nyashanu.

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