Zimbabwe MP says a country that cannot protect its people is not a country at all

The other issue that we are talking about is the issue mentioned by Honourable Nyamupinga which is unemployment. The issue of unemployment is what is making our girls being trafficked. I have a cousin sister who sells various merchandise at Mupedzanhamo market. It was constructed by the City Council and a table costs $15. That area can have 100 people paying $15 per day. But an Honourable Member of Parliament who sits in this august House went to City Council and obtained 100 tables which he sublets at a cost of $200 per table. If you go to Mupedzanhamo market, you will not find anyone there who owns a table. The vendors pay $200 per table and then Honourable Maridadi takes $15 and pays to council. It means our people are not empowered. So we are disempowering our people. Those people who are doing that are here in Parliament well dressed in a tie and jacket and contributes to debates. The very Honourable Members who do this were voted by people in Mbare, Mabvuku and Mufakose. They are the ones who vote for us but we embark in such corrupt activities and yet that person was given a table for $15 which they sublet at $200. How can our children not be treated as slaves if we disempower them in this manner?

Those who speak say that charity begins at home. Honourable Nyamupinga talked about prayers in churches. You will have written your prayer request that you want a job and then you go to the pastor and the pastor prays for you. There are people in this august House who are members of the Executive who go to those churches with prayer requests and then they take those people to be maids. Some are Minister of this Government and we have evidence. Mr Speaker Sir, I only mention things that I have evidence on..

*HON. SAVANHU:  On a point of order. I am requesting Honourable Maridadi to mention the names of Honourable Members of Parliament who are taking tables and charging exorbitantly to vendors. I am the Member of Parliament for Mbare Constituency. If it is happening, I would want to know which Honourable Member is doing that. I think it is important that it be known who this culprit is instead of just saying Honourable Member.

*HON. MARIDADI:  When I was growing up, I was told that if someone is unsettled by a situation, they know what they are talking about. What I am saying is that I have evidence because I have people who come from Mabvuku who told me that they pay $200. I went to the City of Harare and I asked them how much a table costs and I said I have someone who is paying $200 and the City of Harare said that was happening. That is why the City of Harare now has a strategy…..

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON MUTOMBA): Honourable Maridadi you were requested that if you know the individuals, can you bring up their names.

*HON MARIDADI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I will submit those names tomorrow because I have evidence. I want to submit the names – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] Mr. Speaker, I will bring the table numbers tomorrow, the names of people who are selling from these tables, the monies that they are sending to these individuals and the money that is being paid to the City Council. Just this past week, I had a programme in the constituency because City of Harare talked of listing those who are subletting. That is an issue that is before the council. So, I am talking about what I know.

Going back to the issue …

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