Legislators are set to be tested for Covid-19 to prevent
the spread of the virus after Parliament resumed business recently.
Parliament was among the first institutions to close its
doors when African countries started recording Covid-19 cases.
The first case in Zimbabwe was recorded on March 20 when
Parliament had adjourned two days earlier.
Its standing Rules and Orders Committee is putting in place
the necessary arrangements to function as normal as possible.
When one MP complained that MPs had not be tested and
threated to take legal action saying the legislators risk spreading the virus
after attending Parliament, the Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Gezi said plans were
underway to test lawmakers.
“The point that you raised that Honourable members of
Parliament must be tested is a valid point. I am being informed that everything
is in the pipeline and appropriate measures are being taken. There was a meeting
to look at how we conduct business in parliament, particularly pertaining to
Covid-19. So your concerns have been noted,” she said.
Norton MP, Temba Mliswa said anyone who tests positive must
go into isolation. “We do not want this issue of using thermometers, this does
not work, we want actual tests. We are the ones that reach people. If we are
found positive, then we stop spreading this disease to the people, we isolate
ourselves. What are you doing as Parliament to make sure that all parliament
members are tested?” asked Mr Mliswa.
“What I am to say also is that we must not go to the next
extent of taking each other to court and it is not a threat. I am prepared to
go court when MPs are not tested because I must safe guard myself and my
family.”
Mr Mliswa said Parliament must put measures in place to
ensure that MPs are protected from the virus as they conduct their business.
“I want to know the action that you will take from
tomorrow, if you do not do that, I am going to make an urgent High Court
application so that Parliament will stop sitting until everyone has been tested
because cases are increasing,“ he said.
Mr Mliswa also said due to the prevailing fuel challenges,
MPs were finding it difficult to attend Parliament as they could not get fuel.
“On fuel, considering that this institution is one of three
pillars of the State; we do everything, we pass budgets. We are not asking for
anything extra but for the office of the MPs to be respected. We have no
respect in the public. We are seen in queues with drums. We do not sell that
fuel but we use it so that it enables us to get here,” he said.
Responding to the fuel challenges, the deputy speaker said
Parliament was making alternative plans for MPs to get fuel.
“On the issue of fuel for Honourable members, I think it
was also raised last week and plans were put in place that Honourable members
get their fuel from Petro Trade and Redan Service Stations,” she said.
Chronicle
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