Parliament’S Committee of Standing Rules and Orders has appointed
Council of Chiefs president Fortune Charumbira to chair the Privileges
Committee that was set up to investigate allegations against Norton
legislator Mr Temba Mliswa and three others of demanding a $400 000
bribe from a local businessman.
This comes as the SROC, which met on Monday dissolved the Mines and
Mining Development portfolio committee which was chaired by Mr Mliswa
after it was felt that the bad blood among members was so bad that they
could not meaningfully conduct business.
The dissolution of the committee came after the SROC observed that
the Mliswa-led committee would trade accusation each time committee
members met.
The setting up of a Privileges Committee followed a motion moved by
Makoni South lawmaker Cde Misheck Mataranyika (Zanu-PF), who submitted
that allegations against Mr Mliswa were of a serious nature requiring
investigations by Parliament in order to safeguard the integrity of the
august House.
Adv Mudenda confirmed that Parliament had constituted the Privileges Committee, but declined to give names of members.
“I think it is premature for us to make public members who constitute
it. We need to inform them first. What if they turn down the
appointment? It is a procedural requirement,” said Adv Mudenda. Chief Charumbira, however, confirmed his appointment yesterday.
“Yes, the Clerk of Parliament notified me about the appointment and
emphasised the need to adhere to timelines where he said the matter
should be dealt with expeditiously.“We are going to meet tomorrow (today) to confirm membership, terms
of reference, mandate, timelines and procedure to be taken. Remember we
are sitting as a quasi-judicial organ and the principle of natural
justice must apply, we should complete in two or three weeks,” said
Chief Charumbira.
Other members of the Privileges Committee are Dr Matthew Nyashanu
(Buhera Central), Cde Jonathan Samkange (Mudzi South), Mashonaland East
Proportionate Representative Cde Tatenda Mavetera (Zanu-PF), Mr Innocent
Gonese (MDC-Alliance) and Harare Metropolitan Proportionate
Representative Ms Paurina Mpariwa (MDC-Alliance).
Mr Mliswa, was implicated together with three other members —
Cde Leonard Chikomba (Gokwe Kabuyuni, Zanu-PF), Mr Anele Ndebele
(Magwegwe, MDC-Alliance) and Mr Prince Sibanda (Binga North,
MDC-Alliance). Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment