HARARE Zanu PF Senators last week ganged up to defend controversial war veterans leader Jabulani Immediately upon the naming of Sibanda as the alleged mastermind of Zanu (PF) violence, acting Senate President Naison Ndlovu sprang to his defence, declaring that the Senate could not discuss the ex-liberation war fighter’s exploits because he was not a member of the august House.
Sibanda is the head of the Zimbabwe War Veterans’ Association, which has been accused of committing political violence and human rights abuses against President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF)s opponents in previous elections. Ndlovu’s shielding of Sibanda was quickly followed by a demands by Zanu (PF) legislators to sink the motion, with party Senators pledging to Sibanda moral support.
MDC T Senator Empire Makamure stood to support the Sibanda motion moved by fellow MDC T Senator, Morgen Komichi.
The Senator told the upper house how Sibanda had terrorized his subjects in Gutu. “Violence is rampant in the whole country, particularly in the district where I come from, Gutu,” Makamure told the House. “The violence is not in the form of throwing stones but in the form of speeches. We have a problem in our district of a man called Jabulani Sibanda who roams the district at will…”
“Order!” interjected Ndlovu. “Switch off your microphone, I think it has been repeatedly said in this House that you do not say an adverse statement of a person who cannot come in this House to defend themselves.” A defiant Senator Makamure proceeded anyhow, amid protests from the Zanu (PF) half of the House.
And within seconds of Makamure finishing his presentation, politicians from Zanu (PF) rallied behind Sibanda, with Uzumba Maramba Pfungwa Senator Oriah Kabayanjiri proposing a motion seeking to thwart the discussion. Zanu (PF) controls the Senate and while it cannot stop the MDC formations from raising issues in the House Mugabes party can however thwart any motions or proposals it does not agree with.
Post published in: Politics