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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Mwenezi East legislator Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti — who was recently expelled from Zanu-PF — on Tuesday took advantage of Parliament’s platform processes to attack the country’s leadership and promote the People First project.
In his speech, whose tone was similar to a recent statement by former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru, Mr Bhasikiti accused the country’s leadership, with the exception of President Mugabe, of corruption and failing to address hardships affecting ordinary Zimbabweans.
Zanu-PF Chief Whip Cde Joram Gumbo immediately dismissed the claims by Mr Bhasikiti, saying he was trying to exonerate himself.
“It is unfortunate that he took the platform to hit back for his expulsion from the party. It is a sign of desperation on his part. Grapes are sour. He is talking now when he has left office on issues he should have addressed,” Cde Gumbo said.
“It is pretentious; he is a good pretender and people like that should not be taken seriously. It is unfortunate and unfair that instead of debating the motion of the President’s speech, he went on to exonerate himself and accuse those he once worked with. It’s unfortunate that he wants to exonerate himself,” Cde Gumbo said.
Mr Bhasikiti was first fired from Government as Provincial Affairs Minister for Masvingo in January and was later expelled from the ruling party alongside six other officials three weeks ago for being part of the Dr Mujuru-led cabal accused of plotting to unconstitutionally unseat President Mugabe.
Mr Bhasikiti first accused some politicians of working with businessman Mr Billy Rautenbach to evict over 20 000 resettled people to make way for an ethanol plant.
“We recently learnt of plans to move the same people to make way for one investor who is the owner of the bio-fuel in Chipinge by the name of Billy Rautenbach,” he said before Masvingo Central representative Cde Daniel Shumba raised a point of order that he was making unsubstantiated allegations.
This resulted in heckling, with MDC-T legislators urging Mr Bhasikiti to continue with his allegations.
When order was finally restored, Mr Bhasikiti tried to use parts of President Mugabe’s speech to support his allegations.
“His Excellency, in his speech on Page 9 lamented that it is depressing that some of our people have turned themselves into mere fronts for foreign investors, defeating the whole fundamentals of the indigenisation and economic empowerment. What the President was alluding to is that we have reached a dangerous stage where some of us have taken to be mere fronts of foreign investors.”
“What I am merely restating, which the President said in this House, is that we should be true representatives of our people,” he said.
Mr Bhasikiti then sought to push the agenda of the People First project, at the same time referring to the President.
“His Excellency the President mentioned in his speech that indeed as MPs we bear on our shoulders the interests and hopes of the people and we should therefore discharge our esteemed mandate in a manner that does not destroy their hope. What is clear Mr Speaker is that the President puts people first,” he said.
“Mr Speaker, if we have people who have no concern with the suffering of our people, then we have a problem. As for me, I have no problem putting the priorities of our people first,” he said.
“The same goes with the culture of corruption, which is developing fast in every sector. No one is innocent in this crime of corruption. Our people continue to suffer because they look forward to leadership for delivery of service,” said Mr Bhasikiti.
“Little did they know that the leaders have become too corrupt to think of them. Yesterday, we used to have what we call bourgeoisie capitalists, but alas, we have replaced white capitalists with black capitalists who are in leadership and supposed to be taking care of the poor majority, but they have abandoned them. They have abandoned the people and the only person who remains thinking about the people is the President (Mugabe). It’s the President who puts people first and he needs fresh disciples on this cause,” he said.
Mr Bhasikiti then claimed that people were living in fear of being killed, adding Zimbabweans were not enjoying their independence. “Mr Speaker, I would end by saying to you that when did our people celebrate the independence and freedom of their country? They are living in fear, fear has engulfed our nation. Everyone is in fear that they can be killed,” he said.
Mr Bhasikiti was expelled together with Messr’s Ray Kaukonde, Dzikamai Mavhaire, David Butau, Claudius Makova, Kudakwashe Gope and Dr Olivia Muchena.
Their expulsion followed similar action taken against Dr Mujuru, Messrs Didymus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo and Temba Mliswa. Zanu-PF has suspended 141 people for two or three years for being part of Dr Mujuru’s clandestine activities to topple President Mugabe.
Online Reporter