By A Correspondent- The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has been advised to issue summons against the Home Affairs minister over failure to respond to a petition requesting that the Chikunda language be recognised as an official language.

Responding to Zanu Pf’s Beitbridge East Constituency Member of the House of Assembly Albert Nguluvhe, speaker of parliament, Jacob Mudenda queried why the portfolio committee on Home Affairs had not issued summons against the responsible minister.

We publish below parliamentary deliberations regards the issue:

 Hon Nguluvhe: I rise on a matter of national security interest.  Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to, through you, ask the Minister of Home Affairs to give a response to the report which was tabled in this House by the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.  Despite being written to twice, they have not yet come to respond on the petition of the Chikunda language to be allowed as an official language.  I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Why have you not summoned the Minister?

         HON. NGULUVHE: Mr. Speaker Sir, through your office, two letters were written to the Minister, but they have not responded yet.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: I am saying why did you not issue summons against the Minister? That is the power that you have as a Committee. Issue them with summons.

         HON. NGULUVHE: I have taken note of your advice Mr. Speaker Sir.