Trouble in paradise? Mudenda embarrasses Minister Kazembe in Parliament

In an embarrassing move, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, recently removed the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, from a Parliament.

This happened because the Speaker asked Ziyambi to handle a motion on land tenure security himself. However, the minister refused and asked his Deputy Minister, Mazungunye, to move the motion instead.

In response, Speaker Mudenda ejected Ziyambi from the National Assembly. Ziyambi then stated that he wanted to talk privately with his staff but the speaker could not have any of it.

This all happened in front of a Namibian delegation that was in the country on Parliamentary business. During the incident, Zanu PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi defended Ziyambi.

Members of the National Assembly and the Namibian delegation witnessed the events.

“Initially, I was informed it was the Deputy Minister. Then, I was informed that the substantive Hon. Minister Ziyambi is here, he shall give the Notice of Motion,” said Mudenda.

“The Deputy Minister is going to move the motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir,” responded Ziyambi.

The Speaker asked if Ziyambi was then leaving the August House with the Minister saying that he was going to have a conversation and would listen attentively.

Said the Speaker “So, if you are going to make some conversation there, I am saying no. You should submit the motion.

“Your conversation – Hon. Minister, your private conversation does not take precedence.”

He ordered Ziyambi to “leave the House” who then proceeded to the Speaker’s chair telling him he was “harsh” and further challenged him to open the Constitution and show him the section which prohibits a Deputy Minister from moving a motion.

This has elicited different responses from different quarters with some speculating about a possible rift amongst ruling party elites.

Exiled former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere sounded alarmed. Taking to social media he said;

Parliament produced shocking scenes yesterday. Am told this was in front of a delegation visiting from Namibia 🇳🇦. What happens NOW!

Another believes it is a sign of the succession battles plaguing the ruling party. B Musonza commented;

Zanu PF succession battles: the dice is cast. It looks like it’s going to be bloodie and very much tribal as usual. Hope this is not going to cost young innocent generations again. Believe you me, Zanu PF succession battles costs this economy billions and billions of dollars.

Oh boy! When these primitive lunatics fight it’s a dog-eat-dog.

Zanu PF succession battles: the dice is cast. It looks like it’s going to be bloodie and very much tribal as usual. Hope this is not going to cost young innocent generations again. Believe you me, Zanu PF succession battles costs this economy billions and billions of dollars.… pic.twitter.com/0y4exv8dW8

— Bla B (@bmusonza) May 8, 2024