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Parliamentary round up: Bulletin No. 24 / 2010
Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust
November 09, 2010

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Both Houses of Parliament resumed sitting yesterday, Tuesday 9 November 2010. The House of Assembly debated the National Security Council Amendment Bill and the reply to the Presidential Speech motion, which generated heated debate in the House. The Senate debated and adopted the motion on reply to the Presidential Speech. This motion was carried over from the previous session.

House of Assembly Plenary - Reply to the Presidential Speech Motion

Debating the motion in reply to the presidential speech, Hon Maxwell Dube (MDC-M Tsholotsho South) called upon government to establish a truth and reconciliation commission to deal with human rights abuses in Matabeleland that happened in the early 80s, commonly known as Gukurahundi atrocities. He took a swipe at the National Healing and Reintegration Organ for failing in its mandate.

Hon Jeffryson Chitando (MDC-T Masvingo Central) argued that for as long as there was disrespect for the Global Political Agreement, torture and intimidation of citizens and no rule of law, there was no reason to call for the lifting of sanctions.

Hon Felix Sibanda (MDC- T Magwegwe) said there was need to revisit the land reform programme as it had been carried out on political basis. He also stressed the need for members to critically analyze the presidential speech and not to just praise it.

Hon Betty Chikava (ZANU PF Mount Darwin East) urged government to attach great importance in supporting women in the areas of agriculture and mining as they were capable of contributing to the economic growth.

Hon Edward Raradza (ZANU PF Muzarabani South) stressed the need for MPs to desist from shooting down each others views purely on political grounds but urged Members to debate issues in a constructive manner. Hon Margaret Zinyemba (ZANU PF Mazowe South) lent her support to Hon. Raradza’s contribution as she appealed to Members to take parliamentary sessions seriously as they had a mandate from their constituencies to debate on important matters and not to engage in bickering and heckling as it was not progressive.

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