Thread by @OpenParlyZw

HON. TEMBA MLISWA: MPs HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY FEES FOR THEIR CHILDREN

@TembaMliswa : The last one is welfare of MPs. Schools have opened; the primary, secondary and tertiary and the issue still hangs. @MthuliNcube @zimta01 @ProgressiveOf @ARTUZ_teachers

@TembaMliswa : They absolutely have nothing; their children are being sent home and it is embarrassing for the MP. Fees are not being paid because of the situation.

@TembaMliswa : Let me say that you have been extremely considerate about our plight despite us again passing a Budget which does not look after us but the Chief Whips must – I have no official position to fight for them but what I do is to just lobby for my fellow MPs.

@TembaMliswa : I can only do so much and through God I pray to – at least he can tick me off and say I tried to help my colleagues but the Chief Whips and I must say this; I am the only person who can say you are not doing your fellow colleagues a favour.

@TembaMliswa : I speak this from a hearty point of view. It is wrong for you to sit well and your MPs who you work with are not well. It is totally unfair and it is ungodly. Part of being a Chief Whip is for you to look after members. That is the reason why they never perform.

@TembaMliswa : That is why they are always quiet. You are good at whipping them but you are not good at improving their welfare. I am emotional about this. You cannot just do that. They can only perform if their welfare is intact. They do not even know how they get home.

@TembaMliswa : They do not have shopping but their families are looking up to them. Can you put yourself in their shoes and see how they are performing. This ungodly punishment must stop because it cannot continue like this.

@TembaMliswa : I was good enough to say, can we have a joint caucus & thank you to Admin of Parliament. @MthuliNcube came together with the Perm Sec and that is a first. There are a number of issues which they tabled before which must be considered by all Parliamentarians.

@TembaMliswa : I can't tell them, I do not represent them. They must also hear what @MthuliNcube proposed; we discuss it; agree & move forward. This can no longer continue. The Chief Whips, I am now whiping you get your act in place & represent your MPs so they can be effective.

HON. SPEAKER: I was not sure whether the @TembaMliswa was now assuming the title of Chief Whip extra-ordinary I do not wish to defend the whips. I think there was a breakdown in communication at the appointed time, both the Govt Chief Whip & Chief Whip from the opposition.

HON. SPEAKER: When the meeting was held, I was there and Hon. Mliswa was there by invitation and agreement between the two Chief Whips of the governing party and opposition.

HON. SPEAKER: I must put it on record that the Hon. Minister of Finance and his permanent secretary were quite accommodative in many ways and the issues that were concluded on that particular day after very passionate contribution by Hon. Mliswa as Chief Whip extraordinary.

HON. SPEAKER: His views were taken on board and during the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, those issues were summarised. I am surprised that the whips did not report back to their caucuses because they attended the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders meeting..

HON. SPEAKER: ...where the Hon. Minister was there with clearly summarised report reporting to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. I am sure the Hon. – [HON. TOGAREPI: But who said we did not report back to our causes?] – I had not finished.

HON. SPEAKER: I was saying if Hon. Mliswa’s position is correct, I am simply saying the matter of that meeting where two whips were unavailable due to circumstances beyond their control which they explained to me, the matters were discussed during the Committee on Standing Rules.

HON. SPEAKER: My question is they were supposed to have reported and Hon. Chief Whip of the governing party said it was reported. I am not sure of Hon. Mpariwa whether the report was given to your caucus. My question is very simple Hon. Togarepi.

HON. SPEAKER: Did you report to your caucus as agreed at the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders?

HON. TOGAREPI: Yes, we did and we had a meeting Mr. Speaker between ourselves. Mliswa and yourself. We cannot be called to caucus by Hon. Mliswa

HON. SPEAKER: Order, order Order. Hon. Mliswa, can you withdraw that aspect.

@TembaMliswa : I withdraw that aspect that in future may Chief Whips be elected not picked by Politburo. That is all I can say.

@TembaMliswa : There was no election of @ZANUPF_Official Chief Whip. It was an order from the Party.

HON. SPEAKER: Order Hon. Mliswa.

@TembaMliswa : I am sorry again. I withdraw again – [Laughter. –