Mnangagwa steps down

The state media on Monday reported that the Zimbabwe Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa has agreed to step down from a Parliamentary Privileges Committee set up by the House of Assembly to investigate the conduct of Shabani Mashava Mine administrator Mr Afaras Gwaradzimba on possible contempt of Parliament charges.

Minister Mnangagwa wrote to the Speaker of House of Assembly Mr Lovemore Moyo last week saying he was stepping down and proposed to have Zanu-PF Chief Whip Cde Joram Gumbo as his replacement.

His decision followed a letter of complaint raised by former SMM shareholder, Mr Mutumwa Mawere, who felt that the Minister had previously handled the case involving the mine and might not be impartial.

Cde Gumbo yesterday confirmed the development. "Minister Mnangagwa accepted to step down because of his past involvement in SMM matters, which is not a secret anywhere.

He accepted that he has had meetings with Mr Gwaradzimba and Minister (Patrick) Chinamasa (Justice and Legal Affairs) so when a complaint was raised he agreed to step down," said Cde Gumbo. He said only members of the Standing Rules and Orders Committee were eligible to be in that committee and this left either him and Mutoko North MP Cde Marble Chinomona to replace the Minister.

"I write, dear Speaker, to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 24 January 2012, wherein you are requesting me, in my capacity as leader of Zanu-PF in Parliament, to assist the Chief Whip in nominating a replacement for me from the SROC membership to the Parliament Privileges Committee.

"Accordingly, I am pleased to nominate Hon Joram Gumbo as my replacement," wrote Minister Mnangagwa. The committee being chaired by Chivi Central MP, Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, is tasked to investigate whether Mr Gwaradzimba did not breach the provisions of the Privileges, Immunities and Powers of Parliament Act.

This was after the portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy chaired by Guruve South MP, Cde Edward Chindori-Chininga, tabled a report in the House which among other issues alleges that Mr Gwaradzimba might have breached Parliamentary rules.

This was after he made comments in the media the committee felt undermined its work. Other members of the committee are, Women, Gender and Community Development Deputy Minister Jessie Majome (MDCT), Mazowe Central MP, Mr Shepherd Mushonga (MDCT) and Gwanda Central MP Mr Patrick Dube (MDC).