Mudenda blasts Zanu-PF MPs

 Mudenda blasts Zanu-PF MPs
Published: 18 March 2020
SPEAKER of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has slammed Zanu-PF MPs for disrupting Parliament's portfolio committee meetings chaired by MDC legislators saying the development contradicted President Emmerson Mnangagwa's vision.

There was drama in Parliament last week after Zanu-PF MPs disrupted proceedings of the portfolio committee on Public Accounts demanding that MDC MP for Harare East, Tendai Biti, recuse himself from chairing it until his party recognises Mnangagwa as the country's legitimate leader.

On Monday, the ruling party MPs also disrupted the portfolio committee on Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services chaired by MDC MP for Kuwadzana East Chalton Hwende as well as the Daniel Molokele-chaired Higher Education committee.

Mudenda came out guns blazing yesterday, telling the Daily News in an interview that the Zanu-PF legislators led by Dexter Nduna (Chegutu West) and Marko Raidza (Mberengwa East) were misdirected.

"The disruptions are in contradiction to the presidential legislative agenda as pronounced during last year's State of the Nation Address (Sona) which speaks to the economic and political reform processes which are part and parcel of his re-engagement drive.

"We therefore cannot afford, as Parliament, not to propagate the enactment of these laws through the Parliament process championed by our committee system in compliance with the Constitution and our Standing Rules and Orders," Mudenda said.

The Speaker said the ruling party's MPs were also acting in disregard of the Privileges Committee he set up to investigate if there is any possible breach of the Standing Rules by MDC MPs when they refused to stand in honour of Mnangagwa when he came to the House last year for a State of the Nation Address.

The MDC has approached the High Court challenging Mudenda's decision to bar them from receiving their sitting allowances for refusing to stand for Mnangagwa.

The 112 MPs are arguing there is nothing in the Constitution of Zimbabwe or in the Standing Rules and Orders which requires legislators to stand up when the president enters or leaves the Parliament chamber.
- dailynews
Tags: Mudenda,

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