Protesting in Parly is part of our roadmap: CCC

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Following the ejection of its legislators from the National Assembly on Thursday for disrupting processes by singing, the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change has claimed that revolting is part of their roadmap to legitimacy.

The opposition lawmakers were ejected from the house after singing Ndimi Makauraya, loosely translated as “you’re the one who killed” during the swearing in ceremony of Mabvuku-Tafara MP, Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya and eight other newly-elected legislators.

In an interview with Zim Now, CCC spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi said the protesting in Parliament is part of plans made by the party during the Citizens National Assembly extraordinary meeting.

“It is part of the roadmap to legitimacy as encapsulated in the party’s CNA extraordinary resolutions yesterday. A lot more pressure will be applied until the regime bends the will of the people of Zimbabwe and the laws and constitution of the country,” Mkwananzi said.

“It is our considered view as the CCC that we will be more impactful speaking against and calling out the regime in parliament while also guarding our zones of autonomy rather than pulling out. If Mr. Mnangagwa does not want our legislators in Parliament, let him expel them rather than us doing the job for him. That way, the world will know who the real enemy of democracy is. We were elected by the people. We respect and we will defend the people’s vote. We will never give in to the regime’s machinations.”

Mkwananzi further argued that opposition MPs were ejected to pave the way for the passing of Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s 2024 budget.

“The regime, other than the question of its illegitimacy, ejected our legislators so that they could pass their insane ‘budget’ without the oversight scrutiny of our members. Why? Because the budget is an anti-people instrument of the highest level of corruption,” he said.

Former Pelandaba MP, Gift “Ostallos” Siziba, also told Zim Now that Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda is central in the fiasco involving clashes between opposition MPs and government.

“Parliament is an empty Zanu PF fiefdom thanks to ‘Advocate’ Mudenda and ‘Justice’ officers of the courts who have become central in undermining the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Siziba said.

“Clueless and ideological bereft Zanu PF MPs will only be singing to the hymns of permanently reversing what the liberation struggle was all about.

“Like that one from rushing his primary concern is the price of beer over Mthuli’s over-taxation and fascist budget.

“It’s a mess. It’s a crime scene.

“Today, it is ideologically correct for CCC MPs to use the space as a platform to push back on authoritarian consolidation, reject and expose nincompoops such as Scott.”

In ejecting CCC MPs, Mudenda accused them of acting “dishonourably”.

“Before the Oath is administered, where is the Sergeant-at-Arms? Advise the Sergeant-at-Arms that these Hon. Members have acted dishonourably and I do not want to see them within the precincts of Parliament and they should checkout immediately tomorrow morning. As I indicated, they will not have four sittings in attendance,” the Speaker ruled.