Faith Zaba, Business Tribune
Although both MDC and ZANU PF have said Tuesday’s events where Chimanimani MP Roy Bennett assaulted two cabinet ministers were regrettable, legislators from both parties found a lighter side the following day by throwing comments, which left the House roaring in laughter.
In the usual parliamentary spirit, MDC legislators at every given opportunity referred to Justice,Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa as “the assaulted”.
The whole House was in stitches when Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Joseph Made stood for about three minutes laughing and saying “murikuda kundirova here?” pointing at MDC legislators (do you want to beat me up).
In response the MDC legislators said: “ndiyani angade kurovawo Made” (who would want to beat up Made of all people). Pointing fingers at some MDC legislators, Made then said “iwe, newe, newe.” Members of Parliament from both parties, the Speaker’s Gallery and even the Press Gallery could not help but laugh with Made, whom MDC legislators referred to as “Kondozi Minister” or “Ve Kondozi”.
This was in reference to the controversial Odzi farm, Kondozi, which Made is accused of eyeing and using Arda as a front in the latest government acquisition.
It took Made some minutes to respond to a question, which had been raised by Harare South MP Gabriel Chaibva, on why government ordered out a United Nations assessment team, which wanted to establish whether Zimbabwe had enough food.
Made almost spoilt the relaxed atmosphere when during his response he singled out Bulawayo South MP David Coltart, who was among some MDC legislators who were interjecting him.
The smiling Made all of sudden became angry and pointed at Coltart saying: “Mr Colart, I do not wish to exchange anything with you at this particular time. Do not shout at me. I cannot be shouted at. I was not born to be shouted at.”
Responding to Chaibva’s question Made said it was member states that made crop and livestock assessment and according to the country’s assessment, Zimbabwe did not need food aid.
At one time, some MDC legislators told Chinamasa that his remarks, in which he said Mufakose MP Paurina Mpariwa should continue lying about the food situation in the country and that he would not be intimidated, were provocative.
The MDC legislators shouted to Chinamasa saying; “watanga, ndosaka wakarohwa. (you have started provoking us, that is why you were beaten up”.
Gwanda North MP Paul Themba Nyathi asked Chinamasa to withdraw his statement.
Nyathi said: “On a point of order. the Minister in his response referred to us and said that we continue to lie.”Madam Speaker, that is not only unparliamentary but it is very provocative.
“Such kind of language also puts this House into disrepute.”
Chinamasa then withdrew and when he tried to explain what he meant, MDC legislators interjected saying he should stop at the withdrawal.The deputy Speaker had to intervene and said: “This is enough, I know my rights and I will not let you get out of control like what you did yesterday.”
In an apparent show that Chinamasa took heed of what Nyathi said, the minister in a response to another question from Chaibva, decided not to say that the legislator was lying but that he was mistaken.
“I do not want to use unkind words but I will say that the Honourable Member is mistaken.
“He is not lying but he is mistaken.
“I never said the delimitation is already in progress because a delimitation commission has not even been appointed,” Chinamasa said to an outburst of laughter from the legislators.
On Wednesday, the legislators from both parties seemed to have buried Tuesday’s incident. Bennett attended Parliament on Wednesday and business went on as
usual.