I had no choice but to come back to my office. The chamber accomodates only about 200 out of the 270 members of the House. During sittings some of us sit in the Speaker's Gallery meant for visitors but today we were barred by Parliament staff from there as they reserved it for visitors. Some ZANU PF members occupied our opposition bench and insolently refused to vacate our spaces. About 100 of us from across the political divide were turned away as today all ministers, some of whom are Senators took up space. National Assembly members fitted at last opening ceremony on 22 August 2013 only because my party MDC T boycotted the opening ceremony in protest of the rigging of the 2013 elections.
I can't imagine what the Parliament administration was thinking when it allowed the opening ceremony to proceed in the National Assembly when the numbers so clearly show that the chamber is way too small. It in fact poses a danger to the safety of MPs as all 270 of us were squeezed into a narrow passage out of the building to start the procession which made me feel as if we were cattle being herded into a dip tank. The jostling, shoving and pushing was so bad that a glass pane shattered and broke near the exit door. The shoving snd pushing for seats inside the chamber was so crude and undignified. Most unparliamentary!
I thank the Parliament administration though for the historic tea and sandwiches they served pending the procession, pleasant surprise indeed -there has been no simple tea service at Parliament in the last (7th) Parliament and so far in this 8th Parliament. :) Section 150 of the Constitution categorically provides that 'Parliament may sit at other places other than the ordinary seat of Parliament, but only on grounds of public interest, security or convenience'. The official opening should have been at a venue where we can all fit!
I'll follow today's proceedings, which will be mainly the President's speech otlining this session's legislative agenda, from the Hansard which I hope will be out tomorrow, and share them here with you.
I will also, as I promised give you my report of what I did for you as your MP in the 1st session that started on 22 August 2013 when you elected me, and ended in September.
Post published in: News