Below is the full text of the parliament delivery as MDC leader Nelson Chamisa thanks President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the state’s assistance in the burial of the late party leader Morgan Tsvangirai:

*HON. ADV. CHAMISA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker.  The words that I stood up to say are in connection with the rights that are provided for in the Standing Orders.  I stood up to give strong words to you Mr. Speaker and also extend those words to the President of the nation.  I say these words concerning what befell us as a nation a few weeks ago after losing our former Prime Minister, Mr. Tsvangirai who was also the leader of the MDC-T.

          Mr. Speaker, this was an event that befell us whilst we were unawares.  So I stood up to say that as a party that is in this august House and well known in this august House which is the Movement for Democratic Change that I lead.  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

          Mr. Speaker I wish to say these words expressing my gratitude especially to Parliament which is headed by you and also all the other parliamentarians.  We saw us coming together to unite and go through the bereavement of Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai. There was no partisanship in this event and you also said a lot Mr. Speaker when you attended the funeral.  We know there are two parties MDC-T and ZANU PF in Parliament.  We are two parties that are well known to be part of Government.  We also want to thank His Excellency the President for the words that he gave.

          It is important that we emulate this in Parliament because we are in Parliament.  His Excellency the President came, the Hon. Vice President came and also Hon. S. K. Moyo even when the body of the late arrived, we realised that there is nothing that stops us from working as a team in Zimbabwe.  I am sure this will be extended throughout the elections and we received a lot of assistance from the Government.  On behalf of the Movement for Democratic Change, I want to thank you.  We hope that such events can unite the people.

As a leader who was given this position, I also hope that we will have a new dispensation that where we are heading, the way we are going to proceed should be to unite our nation.  We might differ in terms of views and perspectives, but the country is the same.  Where we are heading, we should not think that this person does not deserve this anymore.  We want our country to develop and not look at the issue of party; we should not be partisan in rebuilding our nation.  I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

          THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order Hon. Members.

          HON. CHASI:  Thank you very much Mr. Speaker.  I want to thank Hon. Chamisa for the expression of gratitude to the leadership of Government and the treatment that was given to the late Mr. Tsvangirai on his bereavement.  It is indeed gratifying that Government gave him such a treatment and I was personally and I think everyone in the country acknowledged that he was a leader of great note.  But I think the story would not be complete without making reference to the violence that took place at that funeral. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

          It would be extremely remiss of this House for it not to abhor the treatment that was given to some of the leaders of the opposition, in particular, Dr. Khupe. – [AN HON. MEMBER: Wanga uriko here iwe!] –  I also want to make reference to the violence that took place in Bulawayo last week or so – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –   We must, and I cannot be shut down – [AN HON. MEMER:  Ngaataure nezve Gukurahundi!] –  I need to be protected as I make reference to the violence that took place in Bulawayo last week when old people were assaulted with stones.  This is pre-election violence and we must make reference to it and abhor it.  It does not matter who it is that causes violence in this country.  We are going towards a very important election and as in the past when violence has been condemned, the violence that took place in Bulawayo must similarly be condemned – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –         Our friends on the opposite side must not pretend that violence did not happen and I want to say that this House must condemn that violence.  I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

          THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! I thought we are here to build each other for a peaceful nation.  I accept the expression of gratitude expressed by Hon. Adv. Chamisa and the observation by Hon. Chasi.