via MPs demand Committee of Privileges after death threats – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 18, 2015
MDC-T legislators have demanded that a Committee of Privileges be set up in Parliament to investigate the death threats sent to seven of their MPs.
BY VENERANDA LANGA
The party’s chief whip Innocent Gonese raised the issue in the National Assembly on Wednesday before Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa moved a motion to replace President Robert Mugabe’s wrong speech with a correct one.
Gonese said the threats, sent as text messages on their mobile phones, were serious and warranted setting up of a Committee of Privileges to look into the matter and ensure the safety of MPs.
“In terms of Section 148 of the Constitution, MPs are given legal protection in relation to what they say in Parliament. Freedom of speech is absolutely guaranteed and that is also expanded by the Privileges and Powers of Immunity Act, where whatever a member says in this august House, they cannot be sued, arrested and no criminal proceedings may be instituted against them,” Gonese said.
“Members must feel free when they are in this august House to say what they want. I am now moving Mr Speaker to say that when there are matters that threaten the integrity of Parliament, I believe that this institution has got provisions to allow for the setting-up of a Committee of Privileges on the threats to MPs.”
He said if the Committee on Privileges was set up, it should not only look at the issue relating to the threats, but also on the integrity of the institution.
Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda said he would consider the matter.
Mnangagwa also said it was an important point of order, adding a ruling must be made soon for purposes of setting future Parliamentary precedence.
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