Zanu-PF MP struggles to read prepared speech in Parliament

Newly elected  Zanu PF Makokoba MP Tshinga Dube on Tuesday struggled to read his prepared maiden speech in Parliament and was forced to sit down after his extended time ran out.

According to Southern Eye, Dube spoke in a very low voice causing opposition MPs to lampoon him saying he was speaking to himself.

The MPs said the legislator should just hand over his speech to Hansard, a parliamentary publication that records proceedings verbatim, so that MPs will read it the following day.

However, Dube continued to read his speech inaudibly before other MPs offered him some bottled water assuming he was thirsty or choking.

After his 15 minutes lapsed, Zanu PF deputy chief whip Francis Mukwangwariwa moved that Dube's time be extended.

Deputy Speaker Mabel Chinomona allowed it to be extended by a further five minutes as per parliamentary standing rules and orders.

However, Dube's speech remained inaudible, causing Musikavanhu MP Prosper Mutseyami (MDC-T) to complain.

"Madam Speaker, can something be done to assist Dube to raise his voice, otherwise it would be better for him to just submit his speech to the Hansard," he said.

Chinomona rejected the suggestion saying there was nothing that could be done to help the Zimbabwe Defence Industries boss.

"He just has a low voice and there is nothing that can be done," she said.

"But at the same time the extended five minutes have again expired and the MP can just hand over his speech to Hansard."

Some of the issues that were in Dube's speech included that his constituency, which was thriving in its heydays now signified squalor due to economic difficulties.

"The constituency has a rich heritage with celebrities like politicians, entertainers and popular footballers like Madinda, Adam and Peter Ndlovu having come out of Makokoba," he said.

"We also have popular landmarks like Stanley Square, Renkini Terminus, Mpilo Hospital and others.

"The majority of people in Makokoba live in poverty due to economic problems and closure of companies. Many people have become vagrants while still more have migrated to South Africa where they are often subjected to barbaric treatment. Sadly the younger generation has been driven towards drugs and many people struggle to send their children to school."