Ziyambi, Mudenda Clash As Minister Is Ordered To Leave Parliament
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi on Tuesday, May 07, challenged the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda after he was ordered to leave the National Assembly, reported ZimLive.
Ziyambi, who is also the leader of government business in the house, had been expected to move a motion on a law for the provision of land tenure security.
Ziyambi, however, decided that his deputy Norbet Mazungunye would do so instead, but Mudenda rejected that. He demanded to know why Ziyambi would not table the motion himself.
The ZANU PF Chief Whip, Pupurai Togarepi, tried to offer an excuse for Ziyambi, saying the minister wanted to go to the Senate.
But Ziyambi corrected Togarepi and said he wanted to converse with his staff. He said:
There is no rule that says the deputy minister cannot move the motion.
Mudenda then told Ziyambi that his private conversation “does not take precedence”. He then ordered Ziyambi to leave the house. Ziyambi and Togarepi then approached Mudenda’s chair to continue the protest.
Mudenda’s microphone was initially live as a livid Ziyambi demanded to know what rule says a deputy minister can’t move a motion when a minister is present.
Mudenda claimed this was in “section 107 of the constitution” and Ziyambi challenged him to open it. Mudenda moved his hand to pick up the constitution but did not open it. Said Ziyambi:
You were harsh. It’s not correct Mr Speaker to embarrass your own minister.
Mudenda’s microphone was then turned off as the conversation continued. Ziyambi subsequently left the National Assembly.
More: Pindula News
