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issues that had to do with nation building.
This was after legislators from the party scuttled a motion by Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa seeking Parliament’s nod to have the Human Rights Commission Bill debate concluded on Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who was standing in for Minister Chinamasa had moved a motion asking the House to suspend Standing Order rules for automatic adjournment of Parliament at 1855 hours until the Bill has been concluded.
But MDC-T MPs took turns to oppose the motion, saying they wanted more time to study the Bill, which had been read for the second time on Tuesday.
Cde Gumbo then rose to castigate the legislators, saying they were failing to appreciate that the issue before the House was of national substance warranting co-operation from everyone regardless of one’s political affiliation.
“I thought that the issue that the Deputy Prime Minister had brought before the House concerns an important piece of legislation, which is not partisan but I can tell from the debate in the House that maybe we are trying to look at it from the political divide.
“I would, therefore, plead with my colleagues that we let it go the way they want – on the political divide then we see what happens thereafter,” said Cde Gumbo.
“But I thought that we must know that issues of national importance should not be taken on a partisan line but be that as it is, I would want to concede with what my colleagues are saying and say, we leave it and then we take it when it comes next.”
Speaker of House of Assembly, Mr Lovemore Moyo, as per Parliamentary procedure then asked those who supported the motion to say “I” and those who did not to say “No”.
He then upheld the objection by the MDC-T legislators after ruling that they constituted the majority.
Kambuzuma MP, Mr Willias Madzimure (MDC-T) opposed the motion saying legislators ought to be given sufficient time to study the Bill before debating it.
He said Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday and would adjourn until after the official opening next week hence they had not anticipated any meaningful business to be conducted.
“Taking note of the Bill, which is before us, which is quite an important Bill as it deals with the Parliamentary rights of the persons of Zimbabwe, we are of the opinion that time be given to members to really take a good look at the Bill and suggest the amendments to the Bill.
“So, we are of the opinion that the debate on the Bill be deferred,” said Mr Madzimure.
Highfield East MP, Mr Simon Hove (MDC-T) concurred.
“I am of the opinion that due to the importance of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill, taking into account what we have gone through as a nation, we need to really take some time and go through the contents of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill before we can assume or resume debate on this important piece of legislation,” he said.
The Bill seeks to operationalise the constitutional amendments that created the setting up of Human Rights Commission to investigate abuses.
Minister Chinamasa had presented the Bill on Tuesday and was due to respond to concerns raised by legislators including the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs.
The committee chaired by Nyanga North MP, Mr Douglas Mwonzora felt that powers by the responsible Minister ought to be limited if the Commission is to retain its autonomy as envisaged by the Constitution.
Online Reporter