Zimbabwe Parliament to investigate remarks by Matemadanda that MPs skip sittings to see girlfriends and boyfriends

HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I stand to give this point of privilege as a Member of Parliament of this august House. Hon. Victor Matemadanda who is a Member of this august House and happens to be the Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence is reported – and this has been publicly said, that this House is failing to pass Bills because Members of Parliament are not taking the business of this House seriously. They will be going to hotels to see their boyfriends and girlfriends and even though he specifically said most Members of ZANU PF, but that attack on Hon. Members of this august House is an attack to each and every one of us.

It is even worse Hon. Speaker to note that the reason why Bills are not moving in this august is not because of the MPs, it is because of the Executive Members who are failing to drive those Bills. There has never been a Bill that has failed to move because there has not been a quorum. To that end, it is my view and my plea to the Chair that such conduct, such behavior brings the name of this august House into disrepute. To that extent, a privilege Committee should be set up to investigate such behavior. Thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, the efficacy of that statement is being investigated by the Chair and an interface should take place between the Chair and Hon. Matemadanda to find out whether indeed he was quoted correctly by the newspaper which you did not mention.  I think it was The Masvingo Mirror and we will then advise accordingly in terms of how best he should handle such matters.

On the latter part of the Bills that have not been executed by this august House and by the same token the Senate, Hon. Murwira is correct.  We have done a Bill track which clearly indicates that all the Bills that were gazetted and tabled before this august House were dealt with accordingly.  Of the 28 Bills announced by His Excellency the President during SONA in the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, only five Bills were gazetted and those were dealt with accordingly, leaving a balance of 23 ungazetted Bills.  The matter has been brought to the attention of the highest authority and measures are being taken to rectify that anomaly.

HON. TOGAREPI:  Thank you Mr. Speaker.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  You want to speak on my ruling?

HON. TOGAREPI:  I do not want to speak on your ruling Mr. Speaker, I respect your ruling but only to say discussions in political parties cannot be brought in through the backdoor – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – We from our side as ZANU PF understand how we operate.  We have no problems with the comments that were done by our PC – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order!  I thought I was very lucid.  I will investigate and have some interface – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – When the Chair is speaking, can you lend me your ears?  There is no need for excitement in this regard.  I will engage Hon. Matemadanda accordingly.  That is my ruling.  Thank you.

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