News / National
Chinotimba, Mliswa clash at a Zanu-PF caucus meeting
23 Jan 2014 at 06:33hrs | Views
TEMPERS flared yesterday at a Zanu-PF caucus when Buhera Central Member of the National Assembly Joseph Chinotimba accused his Hurungwe East counterpart, Temba Mliswa, of failing to support fellow party legislators in parliamentary debates.
The allegations triggered protests from Mliswa who charged at Zanu-PF Chief Whip Joram Gumbo, insisting that he was entitled to respond.
Gumbo, however, said Mliswa had already spoken. The altercation went on for about 10 minutes before Gumbo finally granted Mliswa the floor.
MPs in attendance, at Zanu-PF headquarters, said Gumbo lamented the failure to debate in the House issues affecting constituencies.
He said only two motions out of more than 13 were from Zanu-PF.
Contacted for comment, Gumbo downplayed the issue, saying "at the end of the meeting both Mliswa and Chinotimba embraced each other".
He said Chinotimba castigated Mliswa after the latter said it was strange that Government mourned about sanctions yet bought vehicles from the same countries that imposed the embargo, instead of supporting Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries.
A source who attended the meeting said there was fear among MPs to present motions that could offend Cabinet ministers and Politburo members.
"While the MP might enjoy immunity in Parliament, he might not escape reprimand from the party, hence the fear among legislators," said the source.
The allegations triggered protests from Mliswa who charged at Zanu-PF Chief Whip Joram Gumbo, insisting that he was entitled to respond.
Gumbo, however, said Mliswa had already spoken. The altercation went on for about 10 minutes before Gumbo finally granted Mliswa the floor.
MPs in attendance, at Zanu-PF headquarters, said Gumbo lamented the failure to debate in the House issues affecting constituencies.
He said only two motions out of more than 13 were from Zanu-PF.
He said Chinotimba castigated Mliswa after the latter said it was strange that Government mourned about sanctions yet bought vehicles from the same countries that imposed the embargo, instead of supporting Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries.
A source who attended the meeting said there was fear among MPs to present motions that could offend Cabinet ministers and Politburo members.
"While the MP might enjoy immunity in Parliament, he might not escape reprimand from the party, hence the fear among legislators," said the source.
Source - herald
