First Lady is my wife, Temba Mliswa tells Parliament

Norton member of Parliament Temba Mliswa on Wednesday caused a stir in Parliament when he boldly declared that the First Lady was his wife.

Mliswa made the remarks that roped in vice President Phelekezela Mphoko when he said the First Lady was extravagant by buying million dollar rings.

He said "If people are buying rings for over a million dollars, if they were bond notes, would they buy the rings for a million dollars – no they would not.

"I do welcome bond notes and to also stop those leaders who are extravagant in terms of using taxpayers money to be able to expend on luxury items like rings which absolutely mean nothing to the welfare of the people of this country. We have hospitals, schools and many things. I personally am a Member of Parliament in Norton and there is not even a decent mortuary at Norton Hospital so that people can be put there but we hear that the First Lady is spending and I will not hide this".

However, the First Lady remark forced the temporary speaker to command Mliswa to withdraw his statement.

Below is the full verbal exchange seen by Bulwayo24.com :

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Member. We do not mention names of people who cannot defend themselves when we are in the Parliament.

HON. MLISWA: I think Mr. Speaker Sir, it was in the public domain .....

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Yes, but may you withdraw that.

HON. MLISWA: I said the First Lady, I did not mention a name.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Yes, the First Lady is only one, there are not many.

HON. MLISWA: My wife is the First Lady in my home.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, she is not here to defend herself.

HON. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker, I did not name the First Lady and I did not put a name to it. Your wife is the First Lady in your house unless she is not. My mother is the First Lady in my house.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. Mliswa, there is only one First Lady in this country, so may you withdraw that.

HON. MLISWA: Are we now going towards the mug that this is the boss again. I am also the boss in my house and I do not know where you are going.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, may you withdraw that please so that you continue with your debate. Just withdraw that and continue with your debate.

HON. MLISWA: I think, Mr. Speaker Sir, I need to be told which section or Order does restrain me from talking about the First Lady, then I will be guided. We are a House of rules and it is equally important for me to be told which rule you are exercising in order for me to withdraw. I have the right to know and I think it is important that I know the rule. I represent people and in representing people, I must state facts. So for me Mr. Speaker Sir ...

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, I have made a ruling, you may not mention somebody who is not in the House.

HON. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I am not at all arguing with what you are saying. What I am saying is that you must equally point out the section which does not allow me to do that, then I will be guided by that because we are a House of rules.

THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF NATIONAL HEALING, PEACE AND RECONCILIATION (HON. MPHOKO): On a point of order Mr. Speaker.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: May you take your seat, there is a point of order.