Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) MDC-T MPs disrupt parliamentary debate

MDC-T MPs disrupt parliamentary debate
Floyd Nkomo in Harare
Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:52:00 +0000

THE Second Session of the Seventh Parliament of Zimbabwe resumed sitting yesterday with debate on the presidential speech taking centre stage, amid heckling and interjecting by MDC-T legislators.

President Robert Mugabe opened the new session of parliament earlier this month, and legislators especially from PM Tsvangirai's MDC party were encouraged to desist from mindless heckling and booing that disrupts business.

Chief whips from Zanu PF and the MDC-T parties earlier this month applauded President Mugabe's reconciliatory speech in parliament and encouraged legislators to desist from disruptive behaviour and concentrate on the work they were elected to perform.

However, MDC-T MPs did not heed this call. On Tuesday they continually blocked discussion on crucial topics which dominated the august house.

Zanu PF Chief Whip Joram Gumbo and his MDC-T counterpart Innocent Gonese at the opening of parliament earlier this month, commended the good behaviour by all the legislators whom they said were setting the mood for constructive debate in the august House.

However, debate yesterday was disrupted by unruly legislators within the MDC-T party.

An MDC-M legislator who spoke to the Zimbabwe Guardian on condition of anonymity said this disruptive behaviour by MDC-T legislators was taking the country to the "Dark Ages".

"Legislators from the three political parties were expected to put their differences and political affiliations aside and work together for the development of the country. This behaviour (heckling and booing) is taking us to the Dark Ages."

Another MDC-M legislator Edward Mukhosi, the party's chief whip, said the behaviour was unfortunate.

"This behaviour is unfortunate. We have to move with business to develop our country.

"The bills that expected to be tabled during this Seventh Session include the Mines and Minerals Amendment bill and the Public Finance Management, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act. These are important pieces of legislation that will put the country’s economy on the recovery path if handled well."

Legislators from Zanu PF said the speech by the President Robert Mugabe should provide a clear direction for the debate on the socio-economic and political activities in the country.

The speech included, among other issues, re-engagement with the West, removal of illegal sanctions imposed on the country by Britain, US, and their allies. President Mugabe also highlighted that more debate was needed on the indigenisation policy and the mining and minerals legislation.

House of Assembly member for Goromonzi West, Beatrice Nyamupinga, said President Mugabe’s speech provided a clear direction for the formulation of polices that promote economic and social growth.

Mwenezi East member of the House of Assembly Kudakwashe Bhasikiti said the presidential speech promotes oneness among people of various political affiliations, in line with the national healing and reconciliation agenda of the inclusive Government.

Instead of contributing to the president’s speech, MDC-T legislators were heckling and interjecting to contributions by members of the house who were debating the speech.

This is not the first time MDC-T legislators have disrupted debate in the House. Last year they disrupted President Mugabe's speech during the opening session singing and chanting and sometimes drowning out his voice.

PM Tsvangirai's party has "disengaged" from government over the indictment and incarceration of party treasurer and former white farmer Roy Bennett. The party has not withdrawn officially from the inclusive Government and their legislators continue to attend parliament.

Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, PARLIAMENT

posted by MrK @ 5:35 AM