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CCC MP tosses Constitution in protest
11 hrs ago |
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CCC legislator Caston Matewu was ejected from the National Assembly on Tuesday after a heated confrontation erupted during debate on the controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill.
The drama unfolded after Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Gezi halted Matewu's contribution, ruling that he had exhausted his allocated debating time.
The Marondera Central MP challenged the decision, accusing the chair of attempting to silence opposition voices opposed to the proposed constitutional amendments.
In a dramatic act of protest, Matewu threw a copy of the Constitution onto the floor of the House, prompting the Deputy Speaker to order his removal from the chamber.
Before his ejection, Matewu delivered a strongly worded critique of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, arguing that it posed a threat to Zimbabwe's democratic principles and constitutional safeguards.
"People from Marondera Central did not send me to this August House to witness the quiet burial of our democracy. I stand in absolute and unyielding opposition to Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3," he said.
His remarks drew an immediate response from Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who rejected the opposition legislator's assertions.
"I think in this August House we must speak the truth. There is nowhere in the Bill where democracy is being killed," Ziyambi told the House.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill has become one of the most fiercely contested pieces of legislation before Parliament, exposing deep divisions between the ruling party and opposition lawmakers.
Supporters of the Bill argue that it seeks to strengthen governance structures and improve the functioning of state institutions. Critics, however, contend that some of its provisions could weaken democratic oversight, accountability, and constitutional checks and balances.
The Bill is expected to be put to a vote before the end of the week following two weeks of debate in the National Assembly.
Tuesday's confrontation highlighted the increasingly tense atmosphere surrounding the proposed amendments as Parliament moves closer to a final decision on the legislation.
The drama unfolded after Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Gezi halted Matewu's contribution, ruling that he had exhausted his allocated debating time.
The Marondera Central MP challenged the decision, accusing the chair of attempting to silence opposition voices opposed to the proposed constitutional amendments.
In a dramatic act of protest, Matewu threw a copy of the Constitution onto the floor of the House, prompting the Deputy Speaker to order his removal from the chamber.
Before his ejection, Matewu delivered a strongly worded critique of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, arguing that it posed a threat to Zimbabwe's democratic principles and constitutional safeguards.
"People from Marondera Central did not send me to this August House to witness the quiet burial of our democracy. I stand in absolute and unyielding opposition to Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3," he said.
His remarks drew an immediate response from Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who rejected the opposition legislator's assertions.
"I think in this August House we must speak the truth. There is nowhere in the Bill where democracy is being killed," Ziyambi told the House.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill has become one of the most fiercely contested pieces of legislation before Parliament, exposing deep divisions between the ruling party and opposition lawmakers.
Supporters of the Bill argue that it seeks to strengthen governance structures and improve the functioning of state institutions. Critics, however, contend that some of its provisions could weaken democratic oversight, accountability, and constitutional checks and balances.
The Bill is expected to be put to a vote before the end of the week following two weeks of debate in the National Assembly.
Tuesday's confrontation highlighted the increasingly tense atmosphere surrounding the proposed amendments as Parliament moves closer to a final decision on the legislation.
Source - newzimbabwe
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