News / National
CIO quizzes ministers, MPs over CAB3 snub
16 hrs ago |
347 Views
SOME ZANU PF Members of Parliament, including Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, were reportedly questioned by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) after failing to participate in the recent vote on the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), according to party sources.
The reported questioning comes after 14 ZANU PF legislators were absent when the National Assembly voted on the constitutional amendment. Despite the absences, the ruling party secured the required two-thirds majority after 34 legislators aligned to self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu voted in support of the Bill.
The developments emerged as President Emmerson Mnangagwa recalled Parliament to sit on Tuesday to consider minor amendments made to the Bill by the Senate before its final passage.
Sources familiar with the matter alleged that legislators who failed to vote were summoned to the CIO headquarters at Chaminuka Building in Harare, where they reportedly met a deputy director-general of the intelligence agency in the presence of ZANU PF Secretary for Security Lovemore Matuke, who is also the Minister of State for National Security.
"The MPs are being asked to explain why they were absent during such an important vote. Some of the reasons being given are considered flimsy," a party source said.
According to the official Hansard, only Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Rajeshkumari Modi was formally recorded as being on official leave during the parliamentary sitting.
Those who reportedly did not participate in the vote include Goromonzi North legislator Ozias Bvute, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheillah Chikomo, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Angeline Gata, Zvimba South legislator Dexter Maunganidze, Minister of Information Communication Technology Tatenda Mavetera, Deputy Minister Levy Mayihlome, Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs Jennifer Mhlanga, Minister of Skills Audit and Development Jenfan Muswere, Deputy Minister of ICT Dingumuzi Phuti, Minister of Tourism Barbara Rwodzi, her deputy Tongai Mnangagwa, and Deputy Finance Minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa.
The reported questioning comes amid signs of unease within sections of the ruling party over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which seeks to extend the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities from 2028 to 2030.
Party sources claimed some senior legislators in both the National Assembly and Senate were reluctant to publicly debate in support of the legislation, although the Senate reportedly recorded full attendance during its consideration of the Bill.
However, ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi denied knowledge of any intelligence questioning.
"I am not aware of the said questioning. I think it's just speculation or some pre-emptive strategy by some naysayers. ZANU PF does not operate like that," Togarepi said.
Before the latest reports emerged, Togarepi had told *NewsDay* that the party was still awaiting explanations from members who failed to participate in the vote.
"For now, what we know is they came after the bells and they were not allowed in as per the standing rules," he said.
"I am not yet aware of any honourable member who deliberately avoided voting. We are yet to receive the reasons why members delayed arriving."
Matuke could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
ZANU PF Director for Information Farai Marapira said it was standard party practice for members to account for their absence from important party activities.
"It is the normal procedure of the party that if a person is absent for a party event they need to provide a reason. Of course, with the importance of the event being a national event..." Marapira said before requesting that further questions be submitted in writing.
He had not responded by the time of publication.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 has since been passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate. The proposed legislation seeks to extend the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities beyond 2028.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has led the Government's defence of the Bill during its passage through Parliament.
Meanwhile, six liberation war veterans recently issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Parliament demanding that proceedings on the Bill be halted.
In an open letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and Senate President Mabel Chinomona, the veterans alleged that the legislative process was unconstitutional and procedurally flawed, calling for the Bill to be withdrawn.
The veterans—Reuben Zulu, Godfrey Gurira, Shoorai Nyamangodo, Joseph Chinyangare, Dogmore Knowledge Ndiya and Joseph Chinguwa—argued that the proposed constitutional amendments were "fundamentally flawed, substantively unconstitutional, and procedurally fraudulent."
The Government has maintained that the Bill was processed in accordance with constitutional and parliamentary procedures.
The reported questioning comes after 14 ZANU PF legislators were absent when the National Assembly voted on the constitutional amendment. Despite the absences, the ruling party secured the required two-thirds majority after 34 legislators aligned to self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu voted in support of the Bill.
The developments emerged as President Emmerson Mnangagwa recalled Parliament to sit on Tuesday to consider minor amendments made to the Bill by the Senate before its final passage.
Sources familiar with the matter alleged that legislators who failed to vote were summoned to the CIO headquarters at Chaminuka Building in Harare, where they reportedly met a deputy director-general of the intelligence agency in the presence of ZANU PF Secretary for Security Lovemore Matuke, who is also the Minister of State for National Security.
"The MPs are being asked to explain why they were absent during such an important vote. Some of the reasons being given are considered flimsy," a party source said.
According to the official Hansard, only Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Rajeshkumari Modi was formally recorded as being on official leave during the parliamentary sitting.
Those who reportedly did not participate in the vote include Goromonzi North legislator Ozias Bvute, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheillah Chikomo, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Angeline Gata, Zvimba South legislator Dexter Maunganidze, Minister of Information Communication Technology Tatenda Mavetera, Deputy Minister Levy Mayihlome, Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs Jennifer Mhlanga, Minister of Skills Audit and Development Jenfan Muswere, Deputy Minister of ICT Dingumuzi Phuti, Minister of Tourism Barbara Rwodzi, her deputy Tongai Mnangagwa, and Deputy Finance Minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa.
The reported questioning comes amid signs of unease within sections of the ruling party over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which seeks to extend the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities from 2028 to 2030.
Party sources claimed some senior legislators in both the National Assembly and Senate were reluctant to publicly debate in support of the legislation, although the Senate reportedly recorded full attendance during its consideration of the Bill.
However, ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi denied knowledge of any intelligence questioning.
"I am not aware of the said questioning. I think it's just speculation or some pre-emptive strategy by some naysayers. ZANU PF does not operate like that," Togarepi said.
Before the latest reports emerged, Togarepi had told *NewsDay* that the party was still awaiting explanations from members who failed to participate in the vote.
"For now, what we know is they came after the bells and they were not allowed in as per the standing rules," he said.
"I am not yet aware of any honourable member who deliberately avoided voting. We are yet to receive the reasons why members delayed arriving."
Matuke could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
ZANU PF Director for Information Farai Marapira said it was standard party practice for members to account for their absence from important party activities.
"It is the normal procedure of the party that if a person is absent for a party event they need to provide a reason. Of course, with the importance of the event being a national event..." Marapira said before requesting that further questions be submitted in writing.
He had not responded by the time of publication.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 has since been passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate. The proposed legislation seeks to extend the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities beyond 2028.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has led the Government's defence of the Bill during its passage through Parliament.
Meanwhile, six liberation war veterans recently issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Parliament demanding that proceedings on the Bill be halted.
In an open letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and Senate President Mabel Chinomona, the veterans alleged that the legislative process was unconstitutional and procedurally flawed, calling for the Bill to be withdrawn.
The veterans—Reuben Zulu, Godfrey Gurira, Shoorai Nyamangodo, Joseph Chinyangare, Dogmore Knowledge Ndiya and Joseph Chinguwa—argued that the proposed constitutional amendments were "fundamentally flawed, substantively unconstitutional, and procedurally fraudulent."
The Government has maintained that the Bill was processed in accordance with constitutional and parliamentary procedures.
Source - The Standard
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
