President’s speech corrected

Farirai Machivenyika Harare Bureau
THE government yesterday withdrew the incorrect text of President Robert Mugabe’s speech that he presented during the official opening of the third session of the eighth parliament on Tuesday and replaced it with a correct one during a joint special sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.

The motion to replace the text was moved by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and was adopted following debate by legislators.

VP Mnangagwa first sought leave from the House to bring in the correct text resulting in debate, with MDC-T legislators demanding that he explains what transpired on Tuesday leading to the mix-up and what action was going to be taken against the responsible individuals.

Kuwadzana East representative Nelson Chamisa said the matter was a serious issue that had embarrassed the President. “We’ve people within the government who chose to mislead our President and it positioned him in an invidious position and also put our country in bad light,” he said

“These people who are responsible are supposed to account and then we proceed. It’s not that we want to embarrass anyone but heads must roll.”

Bikita West representative Cde Munyaradzi Kereke, however, said it was important that the motion to change the text be adopted while investigations into the matter proceeded.

“That point is impassable that both sides of the House want to know what exactly happened and remedial action is taken, but it’s my view that we should allow the business of the House to go on while the reasons are being investigated,” he said.

Kwekwe Central representative Cde Masango Matambanadzo had the whole House in stitches arguing that the opposition MPs were calling for an apology over the issue yet they had skeletons in their cupboards.

“Like it has been said, it was a mistake and that’s what’s being corrected but these people (MDC MPs) haven’t apologised for the job losses that were instigated by one of them. Over 30,000 people were thrown into the streets because of the actions of one of them,” he said in apparent reference to Chamisa.

The Kuwadzana legislator was involved in the lawsuit that resulted in a High Court ruling that cost people their jobs through the Common Law provisions.

Responding to the legislators, VP Mnangagwa acknowledged the mistake that was made but said due to separation of powers, the legislature could not direct the government on what to do.

“I wish to say the mistake is regretted. It’s true that the officials presented the Head of State the incorrect statement as a mix up. This is what we’re correcting. However, it’s not the duty of the legislators to go and interrogate the Executive and say do this. It’s true that blame as to why the mistake was committed lies squarely with the Executive and if necessary corrective action will be taken,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, said he would respond to a motion by MDC-T Chief Whip and Mutare Central representative Innocent Gonese that a privileges committee of parliament be set up to investigate alleged death threats made to their members and affecting their ability to freely debate and express themselves in parliament.

“I’ve heard your motion and what it recommends. The chair will study it and in terms of our procedures may refer it to the Standing Rules and Orders Committee,” he said.