Rowdy youths disrupt National Youth Service hearings

Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
THE public hearing meeting on National Youth Service that was held in Bulawayo yesterday ended prematurely after violence broke out.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture is going around the country gathering public views after receiving a petition from the National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO) last year in May.

The chairperson of the committee who is also Zanu-PF Vungu legislator, Cde Omega Sibanda had to stop proceedings after one of the participants, Mr Eric Gono was beaten up by rowdy youths. A woman who chose not to be named was intimidated after expressing her opinion.

“According to the rules of Parliament, a public hearing cannot go on after violence has broken out. I am therefore formally closing this hearing since people do not want to hear and respect each other’s opinions. Whoever wants to add their opinion will do so in writing to the Clerk of Parliament,” said Cde Sibanda.

He had to escort the woman and Mr Gono outside the building using the back door in order to protect them from the rowdy youths.

Cde Sibanda could not be reached for further comment yesterday.

Mr Gono had shared his opinion about the re-introduction of the National Youth Service which probably angered the youths.

Speaking after being rescued from the rowdy youths, Mr Gono said he did not understand why the youths were angry with him yet it is everyone’s right to express his or her opinion at a public hearing meeting.

“These are all my brothers and sisters. It is unfortunate they decided to be violent when we are all trying to build our country. It will not be easy to build our country if the future leaders have such a short temper and intimidate those that want to share their opinions,” he said.

One of the youths who attended the meeting Mr Tanaka Dube said it was shocking that youths were failing to communicate peacefully on issues affecting them when given an opportunity to do so.

He said: “We are the same youths who cry foul when Parliament does not give us an opportunity to voice our opinions. Now we have been afforded the opportunity and instead of sharing ideas, we are fighting,” he said.