Zanu PF MPs clash over ngwena in parliament

Zanu PF legislators on Tuesday caused a stir in parliament overt the use of the term ngwena  after Gokwe-Nembudziya MP, Justice Mayor Wadyajena (Zanu PF) interjected fellow Zanu PF MP, Sarah Mahoka (Hurungwe East)'s speech after she used the word.
 
Ngwena is a term used in Zanu PF circles to refer to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is eying the presidency.

Mahoka had told parliament  in Shona that schoolchildren in some parts of the country were being mauled by crocodiles, as they crossed flooded rivers to school.

"On the issue of roads again, in our area there are a lot of crocodiles in the rivers there.  Children are crossing these rivers and I think that more schools should be built so that the schools are accessible.

"In Hurungwe, the children have become feed for the crocodiles as they are being eaten by the crocodiles" she said

That prompted Wadyajena  to interject  asking, "which crocodile are you referring to'?

A fired up Mahoka wasted no time in exposing Zanu PF succession divisions warning Wadyajena against trivialising Parliament business, but Wadyajena kept interjecting, demanding her to be specify the type of crocodile she was referring to.

 Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) later stepped in and asked Acting Speaker Melody Dziva to order the two ruling party legislators to discuss their differences outside the House. After more than 15 minutes of heckling, Dziva then ejected Wadyajena, NewsDay reported.

Below are the exchanges as recorded by the Parliamentary Hansard as seen by Bulawayo24.com. However it quoted Nelson Chamisa clashing with Mahoka.

HON. MAHOKA
On the issue of roads again, in our area there are a lot of crocodiles in the rivers there.  Children are crossing these rivers and I think that more schools should be built so that the schools are accessible.  In Hurungwe, the children have become feed for the crocodiles as they are being eaten by the crocodiles.

HON. CHAMISA:  I need just clarification Madam Speaker.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Chamisa, is there any need for a point of clarification.

*HON. CHAMISA:  Yes.  As she is referring to the crocodile, we want to know which type of a crocodile she is referring to.  –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members. I think the Speaker ruled earlier on that this House is not a House of jokes, we are doing serious business and the Hon. Member is referring to the ngwena that lives in the water.  Hon. Mahoka, you may continue.

*HON. MAHOKA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  What you have mentioned has pleased me because Hon. Wadyajena is not taking this House seriously.  He should take Parliament business seriously because this is not a place for idle talk, but it is a House whereby we need to seriously work.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Mahoka, you may just  continue with your debate?

*HON. MAHOKA: On the issue pertaining to violence …

*HON. CHINOTIMBA: Hon. Speaker, if you have made a ruling, your ruling should be respected by this august House.  If there are intra-party differences in ZANU PF, they should be dealt with at the appropriate place which is outside this House.  Your appeal for speakers to be heard in silence should be respected by all Hon. Members.

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Chinotimba, I hear what you have said.  Earlier on, the Speaker ruled that this is not a House of jokes and as such, we should never treat the business of this House lightly.  So on that score, Hon. Wadyajena, may you please withdraw your statement?  Please withdraw your statement.

HON. WADYAJENA:  Madam Speaker, I do not know which statement you want withdrawn.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: You said there are many crocodiles in here; therefore I want to know which crocodile is being referred to.  Withdraw that statement because the Chair has ruled that you should accordingly withdraw the statement.

*HON. WADYAJENA:  Hon. Speaker, (derogatively refers to an Hon. Member as Amai ava).

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Please just withdraw your statement. –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

*HON. WADYAJENA:  No, No, do not threaten me.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Wadyajena, please observe the rules of the House.  I want you to withdraw your statement.

*HON. WADYAJENA:  Do you want me to say hon. Father or mother.  Is she male or female?

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Order, Hon. Wadyajena, you cannot challenge the Speaker.  Please withdraw your statement.

*HON. WADYAJENA:  Madam Speaker, I am now confused.  Which statement?

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: The one in which you mentioned that there are many crocodiles after the Chair had given its ruling.

*HON. WADYAJENA: There are many crocodiles.

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Please withdraw your statement.

*HON. WADYAJENA:  There are many crocodiles in the river.

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Are you refusing to withdraw your statement?

*HON. WADYAJENA: She should first withdraw her statement on crocodile(s).

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  I insist you withdraw that statement.

*HON. WADYAJENA: She should first withdraw her statement on crocodile(s).

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Wadyajena, I have already made a ruling, withdraw your statement – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - Order Hon. Members.