MDC-T MP in trouble over Parly remarks

MBIZO MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC-T) could be charged with contempt of Parliament over his alleged offensive remarks in Parliament last week, Speaker of the House of Assembly Jacob Mudenda warned yesterday.

Mudenda told MPs that Chikwinya's allegations that the original motion on corruption introduced last week by Kambuzuma MP Willias Madzimure had been watered down were disrespectful of the Speaker's chair, hence plans to have him charged.

While debating on the motion on corruption, Chikwinya had alleged Zimra boss Gershem Pasi was one of the country's top earners at $310 000 per month, adding Clerk of Parliament Austin Zvoma needed to be investigated as he was allegedly enjoying a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of MPs who were representatives of the people.

Mudenda said any claims made in Parliament should be substantiated by research and documentary evidence and avoid making unsubstantiated claims under cover of Parliamentary Immunities and Privileges .

"Failure to adhere to my ruling means that serious consequences may follow and may I add that already there is a matter that is being raised constitutionally because some of us did not adhere to the ruling and in such a situation the chair has no power to stop that constitutional process against the MP concerned," said Mudenda.

"On February 27, the chair clarified that the motion was not watered down and all amendments were agreed with the mover of the motion (Madzimure) and signed, and the warning the chair wishes to place on record is that the amendments proposed by Zanu-PF Mutasa South MP Irene Zindi were totally different from what Madzimure as mover of the original motion had envisaged," he said.

Mudenda continued: "For Chikwinya to impute that the motion was watered down is in itself a serious reflection of the character of the chair and shows wilful disregard of the authority of the chair.

"Therefore, appropriate measures will be taken to deal with the member and they will be announced in due course."

The Speaker said he was not gagging MPs and the media but his ruling was in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Rules and Orders of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF deputy chief whip Mandi Chimene (Makoni South) said President Robert Mugabe should stand again for two terms as stipulated by the Constitution even if he would have reached 100 years.