Mzembi asked to parade undressed men in the next carnival

OPPOSITION legislators in the National Assembly on Tuesday quizzed Tourism minister Walter Mzembi over the Harare International Carnival, saying he should explain how much the event fetched, given some females were paraded undressed.

Spiwe Muchenje (MDC-T Proportional Representation) demanded Mzembi further explain if men would also be paraded undressed during the next carnival, as the impression was that women were the only ones who had to go through that.

"The carnival was not a fundraising event. It was done to ensure Zimbabweans have fun," Mzembi said.

"It is social cohesion and those enterprising were able to make money through sale of airtime and other wares."

But Mufakose MP, Paurina Mpariwa (MDC-T) pressed Mzembi to answer whether men would also be paraded undressed at future carnivals.

"I never ordered anyone to walk undressed during the carnival and I did not see any undressed person. What I saw were people in body suits. Countries that parade men in body suits are those that probably engage in homosexuality, but we are not a country that supports that," he said.

Harare West MP Jessie Majome (MDC-T) said Mzembi was making very sexist statements by saying men could not be paraded in body suits because they were not homosexuals.

"Does he then imply that the undressedness of the women paraded was meant to appease men?"

Harare Central MP Murisi Zwizwai (MDC-T) then demanded Mzembi explain whether the women paraded in body suits were lesbians, adding he should withdraw the statement that men that parade in body suits are homosexuals.

Mzembi refused to withdraw the statement and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mabel Chinomona ruled that he had no reason to withdraw.