Zimbabwe Speaker tells Sikhala to let Biti speak for himself

Full exchange between Sikhala and Mudenda:

HON. SIKHALA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My point of clarity centres on the decision and the ruling which you Mr. Speaker made a few weeks ago.  You read a notice in this House that you received a letter from the People’s Democratic Party that certain Members of Parliament have been recalled by the party of their deployment….

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, did you say I made a ruling?

HON. SIKHALA: No, you read a notice.  I said you read a notice Mr. Speaker.  So on your notice, you announced to this House that you received a letter of recall to six Members of this House on the basis that their party has notified your office. Mr. Speaker Sir, Members received…

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, I do not announce letters of recall, I read them.

HON. SIKHALA: You read a letter….

THE HON. SPEAKER: Withdraw your statement.

HON. SIKHALA: I withdraw Mr. Speaker Sir.  You read a letter of recall but the letter however was recently set aside by an order of the High Court, where the Members have been asked to be reinstated to the House.  My understanding is that you were served with the court order. This is what I obtained from the Members who have been recalled and that you have turned down their re-admission to this House.  So, may I seek clarity from you Chair Sir….

THE HON SPEAKER: You see as a lawyer Hon. Sikhala, you are relying on hearsay from a third party in which you are not involved.  That is not admissible and I cannot entertain hearsay messages.  What I can entertain is an approach by the affected party or parties to the issue, then I will respond to them accordingly.

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