Chamisa disturbs Chinamasa’s sleep in parliament

There was a moment of fun in parliament today when MDC-T Kuwadzana Member of Parliament, Nelson Chamisa, rose in the August house during proceedings and woke up Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa from sleep.

Patrick Chinamasa
Patrick Chinamasa

Chinamasa, who ‘was having eyes shut longer than others’ challenged Chamisa not to monitor him unnecessarily.

“You should follow parliamentary proceedings instead of monitoring my eyes,” Chinamasa told Chamisa.

Parliament was sitting to hear the take of various portfolio committees about the national budget presented by Chinamasa last December.

All committees expressed dissatisfaction with funds allocated their ministries which they described as far short of expectations.

The committee on finance and economic planning represented by David Chapfika as chairperson, revealed that for the first time it failed to carry out three budget consultations due to financial limitations.

Chapfika recommended to parliament that the proposed budget should among other things help fight the rising unemployment, falling investment levels and high corruption in all sectors of the economy.

Chinamasa was urged to have clarity on policies to do with indigenisation, continued use of the multi-currency regime among others.

On the banking sector, Chapfika called for arrest of bank officials behind the failure of financial institutions.

“Culprits behind the failure of some banks must be brought to justice, since in most cases the culprits would exploit innocent depositors,” Chapfika said.

Chapfika took the opportunity to tell the house that alluvial diamond mining was making poor contributions towards the GDP.

He said diamond mining companies must be forced by law to make their financial statements public.

Incentives where suggested for companies complying with the country’s indigenisation policy.

The legislator challenged government to come clear on Zimbabwe’s position regarding GMOs.

“Government should protect local farm produce from competing cheap GMOs imported from other countries,” said Chapfika.

Chinamasa was asked by the committee for tourism, to reverse the 15 percent non-resident tourist VAT effected beginning of 2014.

The VAT would scare away foreign tourists since it was the first of its kind in the world.

“Benefits realised out of UNWATO would be reversed by the VAT,” said committee chairperson, Anastancia Ndlovu.

Ndlovu warned parliament that continued water woes around the country would render the Zanu (PF) government economic blueprint, Zim Asset a failure.

Ndlovu called for custodial sentence against owners of companies polluting the environment.

Chinamasa is expected to consider recommendations made by various committees and fine-tune his national budget.

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