MDC Parliamentarians Snub Budget Presentation To Attend Funeral In Marondera
14 November 2019
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MDC MPs boycott 2020 budget presentation, Mliswa demands action
Norton lawmaker Temba Mliswa wants MDC MPs punished for snubbing President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Paul Nyathi|MDC MPs on Thursday boycotted the Budget Presentation in parliament due to the presence of President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the joint seating of both houses.

MDC Presidential Spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda told reporters that all MDC MPs were at a funeral in Marondera and did not deliberately bunk parliament.

“They are attending the funeral of a high ranking family within the MDC in Marondera. That is what I understand,” said Sibanda.

Independent member of parliament for Norton Constituency Temba Mliswa demanded Parliament takes disciplinary action on the MDC Parliamentarians.

Speaking before the presentation, Mliswa described the MPs as “hypocrites” and questioned how the MDC could take part in formulation of Bills that are signed into law by a President whose legitimacy they do not recognise.

“When one comes here national interests come first. There was a decision made by the courts following last year’s elections and that has to be respected,” said Mliswa.

He was referring to the judgement by the Constitutional Court last year on the MDC challenge of the 2018 elections.

“The decision that they made is a decision that is inconsistent. I thought MPs were more mature, more senior and they would be able to do what is expected.

“Mr. Speaker time has come that this institution comes up with rules that will empower you to be able to deal with any MP who behaves in a manner that is not befitting of this institution,” he said.

“The hypocrisy that they exhibit, they contribute to every Bill in this Parliament and at the end the President signs it so when they contribute and the President signs how then can they not be part of this.

“This is a critical event in terms of the country moving forward. The Minister of Finance will be presenting a budget which equally they contributed to. We were in Victoria Falls together.”

Mliswa said the MDC will not be able to sustain its strategy for the next four years, challenging them to seek a better plan.

There was expectation the opposition MPs will attempt to humiliate Mnangagwa who was in attendance, by walking out but surprisingly none pitched up.

They argue Mnangagwa stole the 2018 election from their party leader Nelson Chamisa.

On Monday party spokesperson Daniel Molokele maintained his party’s position on Mnangagwa remained the same despite reports they had dropped the illegitimacy mantra.