(Last Updated on February 10, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Parliament has been urged to look into the fitness of President Robert Mugabe to determine whether he should continue in office.
Chitungwiza North MP Godfrey Sithole (MDC-T) raised the issue in the National Assembly while contributing to debate on the Presidential speech yesterday.
Sithole said Mugabe should not have returned to work in January, adding he should have stayed on “holiday forever”.
“This House should discuss this as a motion and look at the issue of his fitness. People complained about Mugabe going on holiday when the country was burning,” Sithole said.
“But I beg to differ with them and say that actually Mugabe must go on holiday forever, especially right now that his daughter Bona is reported to be expecting.”
He said Mugabe and Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko had “upside down and vulgar priorities” where they preferred to enjoy luxuries while people suffered.
Sithole said they should take a leaf from Tanzanian President John Magufuli who has cut luxurious spending by government officials in order to solve people’s problems.
“Zimbabwe has some of the most educated ministers including Professor Jonathan “Twitter” Moyo and we have one of the most educated Presidents in the world, but there is no political will to end the economic problems,” he said.
But Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda urged Sithole to desist from debating about people who could not defend themselves in Parliament.
Sithole then turned to the forthcoming 21st February birthday bash which he said was another misplaced priority where Zanu PF was targeting to spend over
$800 000 in Masvingo where thousands of people were reportedly staring at hunger due to drought.
“This month the President will be turning 92 years at a time when he has declared a state of national emergency for food. I find it difficult to understand that people want to raise $1 million. We have a good example of a selfless President in Tanzania,” he said.
“Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Thokozani Khupe has used her money to pay fees for 100 schoolchildren, but Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko has been reportedly staying at a hotel for more than 300 days and the $160 000 that he used could have paid school fees for 4 500 students in my constituency who pay $30 per term. The reason why this country is in a mess is because of corruption and vulgar priorities.”
He further said it was also high time Mugabe apologised for the Gukurahundi atrocities.
Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC-T) said Mugabe had failed the country.