Zanu PF youths disrupt electoral reforms meeting again

THE chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Jessie Majome, yesterday accused the police of abetting Zanu PF youths to disrupt a public hearing on electoral reforms by allegedly refusing to call them to order or arrest them.

Source: Zanu PF youths disrupt electoral reforms meeting again – NewsDay Zimbabwe October 29, 2016

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

The public hearing, held at Iminyela Hall in Iminyela high-density suburb, had to be called off an hour after it started when “hired” Zanu PF youths burst into song and dance to disrupt the proceedings.

In spite of the riot police being armed, the youths were not intimidated nor deterred, and Majome, in an interview with Southern Eye, accused the law enforcement agents of abetting the disruption.

“They are just refusing to maintain order and allow the meeting to go ahead. I have never seen the police acting so powerless,” she said.

“They are failing to give protection to Parliamentary processes and I am wondering, and can only suspect what they are doing is in sync with what is happening. Anyone, who disrupts Parliamentary proceedings is committing an offence and should be arrested, but police are refusing to act.”

On Thursday, alleged Zanu PF youths also disrupted a public hearing on electoral reforms held at the Dangamvura Beit Hall in Mutare.

The public hearings follow a petition to Parliament by the Electoral Resource Centre (ERC) calling on legislators to gather citizens’ views on electoral reforms.

Bekezela Maduma, a civic society activist, commented: “It was deliberate. You don’t need to hide. From the truth that from the way it was executed it was pre-planned, and without doubt these are Zanu PF youths.

“It’s a pity that they have succeeded in making sure views from the people of Bulawayo are not heard. As civic society, we can only urge people to make written submissions and send them to Parliament.”

Meanwhile, Mufakose MP Paurina Mpariwa on Thursday urged Parliament to investigate reports of Majome’s alleged assault by Zanu PF supporters.

“It is my submission that as head of Parliament, you need to ensure the safety of MPs and ensure justice is done,” Mpariwa told the National Assembly.

But Mutoko South MP David Chapfika retorted: “On whose behalf was she doing those public hearings?”

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mabel Chinomona said Parliament would have to wait for a report from its security team travelling with the committee before a decision could be made on the issue.