Mphoko heckled in parliament

CO-VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday made his maiden speech in the National Assembly amid heckling by opposition MPs.

Mphoko's speech started as a historical lecture where he narrated how Europeans colonised Africa.

"The West has never apologised for their conspiracy in Africa," Mphoko said. "The West has recently designed another conspiracy - this time regarding minerals."

The VP said as Minister of National Healing and Reconciliation, he would soon bring before Parliament the National Healing and Reconciliation Bill.

Kuwadzana East MP Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) asked Mphoko to explain why his maiden speech failed to give a future outlook on implementation of ZimAsset.

Mphoko said the aim of his speech was to outline how he would deal with national healing and reconciliation issues as minister of that portfolio.

Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC-T) demanded to know how Mphoko would deal with past atrocities like the Gukurahundi massacres.

"I emphasise that we should not dwell on history. Things happen and we cannot live by that because what we need as people is to move forward. We are supposed to look at the after effects and address them and not go back to history because we will never move forward," he said.

Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu-PF) defended Mphoko saying the questions raised by opposition MPs were bent on opening old wounds.

Mphoko promised to deal with issues to do with acquisition of birth and death certificates for the Gukurahundi victims, as well as reburials.

He said paying compensation would create a lot of problems.