Published: 15 hours ago

Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has accused opposition legislators of being responsible for the economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, in remarks that risk fuelling further tension in Parliament.

The exchange took place during a recent Question and Answer session when Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Shakespeare Hamauswa asked for the Speaker's protection. Hamauswa had objected after Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi suggested that the opposition was to blame for the country's economic collapse due to sanctions.

"We are now developing a serious problem in this House. Whenever we passionately ask questions which are aimed at advancing the lives of Zimbabweans, we are met with insinuations that you are the owners of sanctions, you are the people who brought sanctions, which is not really fair," Hamauswa said.

In response, Mudenda sided with Ziyambi, bluntly telling the House that the opposition had indeed invited sanctions.

"The element of sanctions is very genuine. If you recall the earlier leaders of the opposition, then MDC, they actually went to America to ask for those sanctions. Please recall. If you do not know your history, can you research on it?" Mudenda said.

Sanctions have long been a deeply divisive issue in Zimbabwean politics. The ruling Zanu PF party frequently blames them for the collapse of industry and wider economic decline, while critics argue that government mismanagement and corruption bear greater responsibility.

The government claims it has lost millions in potential funding as a result of the targeted measures, which were first imposed by the United States and Britain in the early 2000s over human rights abuses and concerns about electoral manipulation.

Opposition parties have consistently rejected accusations of calling for sanctions, insisting that Zanu PF uses the issue as a political shield to deflect from policy failures and poor governance.
- NewZimbabwe

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