Zanu PF MP turns screws on minister

via Zanu PF MP turns screws on minister – NewsDay Zimbabwe July 30, 2015 by Xolisani Ncube

A PARLIAMENTARY portfolio committee yesterday moved to have Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere charged with contempt of Parliament for allegedly threatening a fellow Zanu PF MP.

The showdown in the National Assembly epitomised the factional fights in Zanu PF as Portfolio Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment chairperson Justice Mayor Wadyajena turned the screws on Kasukuwere.

Wadyajena, linked to a Zanu PF faction loyal to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, tabled a report asking the House to charge Kasukuwere for allegedly threatening him three weeks ago.

The threats were allegedly made during Kasukuwere’s appearance before the committee to answer questions on the activities of the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust.

Wadyajena said utterances and accusations raised by Kasukuwere during the hearings had tarnished the committee’s image.

Kasukuwere had accused the Gokwe-Nembudziya MP of using his parliamentary portfolio committee position to pursue personal agendas. The minister alleged that he had recordings of Wadyajena plotting to fight him.

“By alleging that the minister was an elephant being hunted by a rekeni (catapult) and that such a big animal would turn back and hunt the chairperson who will ultimately lose the fight, it is submitted that the utterances have an effect of instilling fear in the committee and demean the stature of the committee,” Wadyajena told the National Assembly.

Kasukuwere, who sat next to Mnangagwa, appeared unsettled by the youthful MP’s remarks.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda said he would study the committee’s report before making a ruling in due course.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Mining Development has also moved to lay contempt charges against State Procurement Board chairperson Charles Kuwaza for allegedly failing to respond to allegations of corruption.

Portfolio committee chairperson Lovemore Matuke (Zanu PF) accused Kuwaza of arrogance after he refused to provide responses to questions on tender irregularities.