Gumbo blasts MDC-T

Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF chief whip, Cde Joram Gumbo on Tuesday accused MDC-T legislators of hypocrisy for bringing up debate on issues contained in the President’s speech which they boycotted.
This came after MDC-T chief whip, Mr Innocent Gonese moved a motion calling on the executive to expeditiously align laws with the new Constitution. He said President Mugabe, when he officially opened the first session of the Eighth Parliament, indicated that the House would be seized with alignment of laws so that they are consistent with the Constitution.

The MDC-T boycotted the President’s speech when he officially opened Parliament and went on to boycott participation on his speech.
Cde Gumbo said it was strange that the MDC-T want the bills to amend the Constitution to be brought to Parliament so soon, when Government has just two months old in the office.

“How long has this Government been in office? How long did this Constitution take to write? That’s hypocrisy. Individual ministries have to look at the various legislation that fall under their purview. That’s how Government works,” said Cde Gumbo.

He said it was interesting to note that President Mugabe signed into law the Constitution in May 2013 but up to August when the inclusive government was in office, no Bill was brought to Parliament. Cde Gumbo said the then MDC-T Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Eric Matinenga never brought laws for alignment, an indication that it was not an overnight event.

In his contribution, Mr Gonese said it was important that the legislature put pressure on the executive so that it brings the laws for alignment with the Constitution.

Harare West MP, Ms Jessie Majome (MDC-T) said the executive had a political obligation to bring the bills and stop what she termed as a constitutional crisis that could be created.

Buhera South MP, Cde Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu-PF) said alignment of laws would not improve the lives of people until illegal sanctions imposed by Westerners have been removed.