National flag regalia MP slams Parly Speaker

Source: National flag regalia MP slams Parly Speaker – DailyNews Live

Tendai Kamhungira     29 January 2017

HARARE – Mutasa Central MDC MP, Trevor Saruwaka, yesterday said House of
Assembly speaker, Jacob Mudenda, has no right to determine the colour of
clothes he wears in Parliament.

In October last year, Saruwaka was ejected from Parliament for wearing a
jacket adorned with Zimbabwe’s national flag colours.

In protest, he approached the High Court over the move, which created
commotion in Parliament resulting in police intervention.

Saruwaka argued in court yesterday that his ejection from Parliament for
wearing the jacket was unlawful and an infringement of his right to
freedom of conscience and religion.

He further said there was no provision in the Standing Rules and Orders of
the Parliament that bars him from wearing such colours.

In the application, Saruwaka – who is represented by attorneys from
Kadzere, Hungwe & Mandevere Legal Practitioners – cited Mudenda and the
chief security officer of Parliament as respondents.

Saruwaka said he is an avowed follower of the Rastafari religion, adding
that the colours on his jacket are synonymous with his religion.

“…it is respectfully submitted that, applicant (Saruwaka) being of the
Rastafari religion, has a right to freedom of conscience and religion in
terms of Section 60 of the Constitution, which right includes the right to
propagate his religious beliefs whether in private or in public within the
confines of the law.

“By arbitrarily denying applicant access to Parliament, respondents have
elevated themselves above the Constitution without lawful cause. There is
no legal basis upon which applicant can be barred from entering
Parliament,” the court heard.

He said he is entitled to protection by the law.

“It is further submitted that, respondents do not have the power to
determine the colour of the jacket applicant wears. The respondents are
therefore acting outside the scope of their powers by ejecting applicant
from National Assembly sessions on account of wearing the jacket in
question,” he said.

He added that according to the provisions of Standing Order 76 (7), only
jeans, T-shirts and sleeveless outfits, are prohibited from the House.

“Nowhere is it mentioned that jackets such as the one worn by the
applicant are prohibited,” he said, adding that his jacket does not in any
way offend the national flag.

Saruwaka’s Parliament “drama” took place after Mudenda ruled in June last
year that the national flag would not be allowed in the House, following a
plethora of protestors donning the flag during demonstrations against
President Robert Mugabe’s 36-year rule.

Several MDC parliamentarians, including Saruwaka, had entered the House
with national flags draped around their necks.

The national flag became a protest symbol after it was popularised by
self-exiled cleric – Evan Mawarire of #ThisFlag movement.

The movement demanded Mugabe’s immediate resignation, citing his
administration’s failure to deal with corruption, nepotism and a serious
economic meltdown.