ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENT IN CHAOS AS MP’S QUESTIONS SHUT DOWN

In a heated session of the Zimbabwean Parliament, tension broke out between Speaker Jacob Mudenda, Zanu PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi, and opposition MP Joana Mamombe from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). The disagreement began when Mamombe wanted to ask about the reinstatement of some MPs who were previously removed. She referred to a report by the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians. This report had called for the return of these MPs.

The IPU is an international group that represents parliaments around the world. On March 27, they released a report saying that 23 CCC MPs, who had been removed from Parliament, should be reinstated. These MPs were kicked out because of actions by a man named Sengezo Tshabangu. Tshabangu claimed to be the secretary-general of the CCC, and he had the support of important institutions in Zimbabwe, including the government, the courts, and even the country’s security agents. This made his actions hard to question.

During the parliamentary session, Mamombe tried to discuss the IPU’s report and why it was important for the MPs to come back. But as soon as she started speaking, Togarepi, the Zanu PF chief whip, interrupted her. He said that the issue had already been talked about before and there was no need to bring it up again. Speaker Mudenda agreed with him. He said the matter had been addressed in earlier meetings, and there was no need to discuss it again.

Mamombe was frustrated. She wanted to keep talking about the report, but Mudenda did not allow her to finish. Mudenda said that Togarepi’s interruption was okay and that there was no need to hear more from Mamombe. This situation shows the tension between the ruling party, Zanu PF, and the opposition in Zimbabwe. It also raises questions about how fair the parliamentary process is in the country.

The IPU is very concerned about what happened to the recalled MPs. They believe that the removal of these MPs goes against basic democratic principles. They argue that it takes away the MPs’ right to represent their voters and limits their freedom of expression. The IPU says that these actions not only helped Zanu PF take control of some urban areas but also showed a pattern of repression in Zimbabwe. This is especially troubling after the controversial 2023 elections and the growing concerns about the country’s judiciary being less independent.

The IPU also raised doubts about how the decision to remove the MPs was made. They noted that there was a letter from Nelson Chamisa, the former leader of the CCC, saying that Tshabangu was not a legitimate representative of the CCC. However, the authorities ignored this letter because they claimed it arrived too late. The IPU believes that this needs to be looked into further, but Zimbabwean authorities seem unwilling to revisit the issue.

What happened in the Zimbabwean Parliament that day is just one example of the bigger problems in the country’s politics. It shows the difficulties that opposition parties face in a country where one party, Zanu PF, has a lot of power. Sometimes, the actions of Parliament and the courts seem to serve political goals rather than protect the rights of the people. Mamombe’s questions being shut down is a reminder of these problems. It raises doubts about whether Zimbabwe is truly committed to upholding international human rights standards and ensuring that its people are fairly represented.

This event has shed light on the ongoing struggles within Zimbabwe’s political and legal systems. The opposition faces an uphill battle in a system that often seems stacked against them. And for Zimbabweans, it’s yet another reminder of the challenges they face in ensuring that their voices are heard in a political environment where power often outweighs principles.