Maravi

Shakafuswa, Habeenzu differ over prostitution

Shakafuswa, Habeenzu differ over prostitution
By Lambwe Kachali
Saturday March 22, 2008 [12:00]

JONAS Shakafuswa on Thursday night threatened to beat up Muji Habeenzu over his remark that National Assembly Motel has been turned into a brothel by members of parliament. Shakafuswa, who is finance deputy minister told Chikankata UPND member of parliament Habeenzu just before Parliament adjourned Sine die at about 22:45 hours that it was ridiculous to talk about such matters in Parliament.

Last Tuesday during the debate on the policy statement of the 2008 budget estimates for the Ministry of Health, Habeenzu said it was sad that even parliamentarians were engaging in extra marital affairs at the motel where they were being accommodated.
Habeenzu described the situation as dangerous in as far as the fight against HIV/AIDS was concerned.

He said the fight against the pandemic would only be fought if people in leadership positions led by example by sticking to one sexual partner.
Habeenzu, who said there was need to enact a law to deter people from willingly infecting others, noted that some members of parliament were involved in immoral activities instead of helping to fight the scourge in the country.

At this point, chairman of committees in Parliament Mkhondo Lungu interrupted Habeenzu's debate and advised him to change the topic while some ministers and other members of parliament insisted that he should disclose what was happening at the motel.

But last Thursday before Parliament adjourned, Shakafuswa threatened Habeenzu at the bar that he would be beaten up if he continued talking about what goes on at the motel.

Shakafuswa, who is also Katuba MMD member of parliament, said his wife consistently phoned him to find out whether he was in the chamber debating or 'slaughtering women' at the motel due to Habeenzu's remarks.

He said if Habeenzu was so poor that he could not buy sex, it was important that he spared those with money to pay for it.

"I can beat you up. We will be beating you if you continue. You are very stupid, idiot, imbecile. How can you say such things in Parliament? If you are poor and cannot manage to buy sex, let people with money do that. You people in UPND are very dull. I know it's because you are very poor. If you don't know how to scr** women, just keep quiet before you are beaten up," he said.

Shakafuswa, who spoke on top of his voice, said it was unacceptable for Habeenzu to assume that National Assembly Motel had been turned into a brothel.

"If a woman wants to be slaughtered, then let her be done. The problem with many of you is that you don't know how to scr** women, no wonder they don't like you. That's why me, I don't like drinking from cheap places like this one," Shakafuswa said.

But Shakafuswa's utterances angered Habeenzu who later wanted to respond but was restrained by Chisamba member of parliament Moses Muteteka and Pemba member of parliament David Matongo.

Muteteka and Matongo advised Habeenzu to leave because the issue had already been discussed in Parliament and that it was against the parliamentary code of conduct to bring matters outside the House.

Habeenzu then left as Shakafuswa continued speaking loudly.
Notable members of parliament present at the scene were Muteteka, Matongo, Vincent Mwale (Chipangali), Given Lubinda (Kabwata), Douglas Syakalima (Siavonga), Toddy Chilembo (Chama North) among others.

Muteteka expressed disappointment at Shakafuswa's outburst, saying Habeenzu had all the right to debate the issue because he enjoyed parliamentary privileges.

Syakalima said Shakafuswa behaved in that manner because he was President Levy Mwanawasa's nephew and that he could not be disciplined by the relevant authorities.

And Habeenzu has said he would write to Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa over Shakafuswa's insults and threats.

Habeenzu said his life had been threatened and would therefore request the Speaker’s protection.

"I am in a state of shock. All I know is that whatever I speak in Parliament I am protected by law. If Shakafuswa was offended by my debate, why didn't he challenge me in the House? I have no option but to write to the Speaker and find out why he has insulted me outside Parliament. I think I need a serious explanation from him," said Habeenzu.

But yesterday, when contacted for clarification over his utterances and Habeenzu's intention to write to the Speaker, Shakafuswa said he did not regret what he said.
Shakafuswa maintained that Habeenzu was stupid because his statement in Parliament undermined the status of parliamentarians.

"Let him write to the Speaker, I don't care. Habeenzu is very stupid. He cannot say that the motel has been turned into a brothel. What will people think about us? That is nonsense," he said.

Reminded further that he also told Habeenzu that if he was poor and could not pay for sex, he should leave those with money to buy sex and that if a woman needs to be slaughtered, let it be so, Shakafuswa said that was a personal statement.

"Look! Do you want to include that in your story? Is that newsworthy? No, it shouldn't be like that. You know I was at the bar and I was drinking. There is no way you can write such things. Those will damage my name. That was a personal statement.

Ok, fine, if you want to write that, go ahead, but I know that you will still need news from me next time. And when you include that, you will make me angry and you will never get any news from me again," said Shakafuswa.

Labels: MPs, NATIONAL ASSEMBY, PROSTITUTION

posted by MrK @ 9:02 PM