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between Zimbabwe and China to construct a defence college along Mazowe Road failed yesterday.
Both the House of Assembly and Senate ratified the loan despite spirited attempts by MDC-T MPs to scuttle it.
There was heated debate in the House of Assembly on the loan, with Zanu-PF legislators supporting the facility.
Their MDC-T counterparts opposed it, claiming that the country was failing to prioritise its requirements.
However, in Senate there was a smooth ratification of the loan.
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Informed sources last night said the MDC-T MPs’ move would have caused an embarrassment to the party whose leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, attended the ground brea-king ceremony at the site of the college.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who is the party’s secretary-general, signed the loan agreement on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe.
“Their (MDC-T MPs) behaviour would have been a direct defiance to their leader (Mr) Tsvangirai who attended the ground breaking ceremony.
“Minister Biti also signed the loan agreement on behalf of the Government, so their arguments defied logic and lacked common sense,” said the source.
The MDC-T MPs, who apparently appeared ignorant of developments on the loan facility so far, had to be educated by their secretary-general Mr Biti that their actions were embarrassing their party.
It is understood that their chief whip Mr Innocent Gonese had to consult Mr Biti who advised them to change their stance.
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa moved the motion in the House of Assembly while Lands, Land Reform and Rural Resettlement Minister Herbert Murerwa steered it in Senate before both Houses adopted it.
Earlier, Mr Gonese had sought to scuttle moving of the motion after he rose on a point of order saying Minister Mnangagwa should not be allowed to move the motion.
He said Minister Mnangagwa had not given notice of his intention to do so yesterday as stipulated by Parliament’s Standing Orders.
However, Deputy Speaker Mrs Nomalanga Khumalo, allowed the Minister to move the motion saying a Government Minister was allowed to bring State business, which takes precedence.
In moving the motion, Minister Mnangagwa said the national defence college was a specialised military training offering learning of security issues by senior officers in the Defence Forces both locally and abroad and some selected civilians whose duties might require such training.
Zanu-PF lawmakers supported the motion saying it was prudent to have such an institution considering its importance.
Gokwe Member of the House of Assembly Cde Dorothy Mangami (Zanu-PF), said the college was a noble idea and urged MDC-T legislators to abstain from partisan debates.
“It is not a partisan college. We need as a country to get protection from adequately qualified army personnel. The important thing is that not only will it train soldiers but even civilians,” she said.
Mberengwa West representative Cde Joram Gumbo (Zanu-PF) said it was critical that legislators respected the doctrine of separation of powers between arms of the State, namely the executive, legislature and the judiciary.
Mwenezi East, representative, Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti (Zanu-PF), said the problem with the MDC-T was that they did not see anything good from a Minister from a different political party even on political issues.
He noted that Finance Minister Biti signed the loan agreement.
“When we approach these national issues we should not be partisan. The motion should not be delayed by any political posturing,” he said.
Uzumba Member of the House of Assembly Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Zanu-PF), noted that China had highly rated military expertise and even the United States was sending its personnel to Beijing for training.
“China has been an all weather friend. It is your revolutionary duty to serve the interests of Zimbabwe, Sadc, Africa by ratifying this loan,” he said.
Buhera North representative Cde William Mutomba (Zanu-PF) said it was critical to ensure local companies were contracted to build the college.
Defending their position, the MDC-T MPs said Zimbabwe was already saddled with huge debts.
Others said there were more pressing issues like civil servants’ salaries and the state of social services among others that needed attention.
Mazowe Central representative Mr Shepherd Mushonga (MDC-T) said the loan did not take into account the indigenous laws in the country directing that local companies should have a 51 percent stake in any business transaction.
Mr Mushonga argued that the loan and the contractors were both from China leaving no space for indigenous people to benefit.
In the Senate, Minister Murerwa moved the motion on behalf of Minister Mnangagwa.
There were no objections to the passing of the ratification with only, Mutasa-Nyanga Senator Mr Patrick Chitaka (MDC-T) questioning the defence ministry’s priorities at a time when the fiscus was constrained.
He also asked if the ministry had done a due diligence considering that “the deal involved a lot of money”.
“We want to know if there was any due diligence carried out. I am also concerned that the loan and the contractor are both from China, where is indigenisation coming in? Zimbabwe has brilliant architects and contractors who could have benefited from this deal.
“We also have to understand that when we borrow we tie the country to a debt and by accepting that debt we lose part of our sovereignty,” he said.
In his response, Minister Murerwa said since a lot of money was involved due diligence would have “obviously been done.”
On priorities, Minister Murerwa said the deal would not have come at a better time considering that “the global security environment is volatile”
“The college is being built in the context of agreement between Zimbabwe and China and the benefits are obviously defined. I would be surprised if there are no benefits for Zimbabweans in terms of material supply.
“On sovereignty, we are actually safeguarding our sovereignty and China is there to consolidate it,” Minister Murerwa said.
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