Debate on RBZ Bill stalls again

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Debate on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Debt Assumption Bill was stalled again yesterday after MDC-T legislator for Mabvuku-Tafara Mr James Maridadi protested that Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa had not included objections raised by his constituency to the passage of the Bill in its current form.

Also Read…

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Cde Marble Chinomona said the Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda would make a ruling soon.

Mr Maridadi raised objections when Minister Chinamasa was on the floor ready to steer the Bill on the committee stage.

He said in terms of section 149 of the Constitutions every citizen had a right to petition Parliament.

“I have a petition from my constituency that the RBZ Debt Assumption Bill must be rejected by this House,” said Mr Maridadi.

Section 149 (1) read as follows: “Every citizen and permanent resident of Zimbabwe has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including the enactment, amendment or repeal of legislation.”

In response, Cde Chinomona said a ruling on the point of order would be made in due course, thus stalling debate on the Bill.

“I confirm that the Office of the Speaker has received the petition.

Honourable Gonese (MDC-T Chief Whip) was advised of the process this morning. The Speaker will rule on the matter in due course,” said Cde Chinomona. Before Cde Chinomona made the ruling, MDC-T MPs could be heard shouting that the matter should be subjected to a vote.

Minister Chinamasa could also be heard shouting back that “hamuhwini” advising the MDC-T that they did not have enough numbers to carry the day.

MDC-T MPs in turn said if the matter was conducted through a secret ballot they would prevail as they had some zanu-pf legislators on their side.

A fortnight ago debate on the Bill was adjourned after Mr Gonese rose on a point of order saying legislators that had benefited from central back’s mechanisation programme should not participate.

Cde Mudenda subsequently dismissed the point of order saying the law did not bar MPs from contributing in Parliament if the interest they may have in any matter was common with the public generally or any class or section of the public.

He said it was common cause that the RBZ mechanisation programme benefited the generality of the population to the extent that excluding beneficiaries from the debate and voting on the said Bill could constitute unfair discrimination.