MDC-T legislators disrupt business

to an end on Saturday next week at a time most committees have run out of business.

Chief whips from Zanu-PF (Cde Joram Gumbo), MDC-T (Mr Innocent Gonese) and MDC (Mr Siyabonga Ncube) agreed on the need to suspend committee business as a result of poor attendance. Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ms Nomalanga Khumalo made the announcement citing poor attendance as MPs were busy preparing for the primary elections.

It was at that stage that some MDC-T MPs led by Glen View North legislator Mr Fani Munengami and Mr Festus Dumbu of Zaka West started protesting claiming that the decision was meant to cater for Zanu-PF legislators who were now preparing for the primary elections.

“We ran our primaries but did not disrupt parliamentary business, so why should we disrupt parliamentary business to accommodate Zanu-PF?” protested Mr Dumbu. Mr Munengami added: “We are not going to allow that. Committees should go ahead.” This forced the deputy speaker to summon chief whips from the three parties for consultations.

After the consultations, Ms Khumalo blasted MDC-T legislators saying they were protesting against a decision that their party chief whip had approved. This, however, did not stop the MDC-T legislators from protesting, resulting in Ms Khumalo threatening them with expulsion.

Mr Dumbu and Mr Munengami shouted at Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga and party deputy chief whip Ms Dorcas Sibanda accusing them of selling out by allowing suspension of committee business. MDC-T concluded primary elections in most constituencies at the weekend while Zanu-PF is set to conduct its party polls on Monday.