By Leonnel Mhuka
On 12 September 2024, a heated exchange unfolded in Zimbabwe’s National Assembly, revealing once again how parliamentary rules are being selectively applied to shield the powerful from accountability. Hon. Gladys Hlatywayo, rising on a “Point of National Interest”, attempted to raise urgent concerns over alleged corruption involving top public officials. Her focus was on the rising cancer of corruption, which she described as “hemorrhaging our economy and depriving citizens of basic social services.”
Hlatywayo cited a disturbing investigative report published by NewsHawks, which alleged that the Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mr. George Guvamatanga, was on a property buying spree in the most expensive neighborhoods of South Africa, including Sandton, Fourways, and Randburg. But before she could complete her submission, she was abruptly shut down by Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda.
“Sorry Hon. Member. The Standing Orders do not allow you to base whatever you want to say on publications which have not been validated,” the Speaker ruled, insisting that her point was invalid because it relied on media reports.
Hlatywayo pleaded for indulgence to finish her point, emphasizing its national importance, but was cut off once more.
“Please sit down when the Chair is speaking,” Mudenda said curtly. “The predication of your statement arises from a story that has been published in the media and that is against the Standing Orders. Because of that predication, you may not proceed.”
This exchange is captured in the official Hansard of 12 September 2024 and highlights how parliamentary procedure is being manipulated to insulate powerful figures from scrutiny.
Weaponization of Rules
While parliamentary Standing Orders prohibit MPs from relying on unverified publications, critics argue that this rule is being selectively enforced. Numerous occasions in the past have seen ZANU PF legislators freely reference state-owned media outlets to attack opposition figures, with no intervention from the Speaker. The blocking of Hon. Hlatywayo’s statement appears less about parliamentary decorum and more about shielding a senior government official closely tied to the ruling elite.
The Speaker, Jacob Mudenda, is not just a neutral referee. He is a senior figure in ZANU PF, sitting in the party’s Politburo. This raises questions about the independence of his rulings. His decision to shut down debate on alleged corruption involving Mr. Guvamatanga, a key official in the Finance Ministry, macks of partisan protectionism and a broader capture of Parliament by ZANU PF.
A Pattern of Silencing
Opposition MPs have long complained of being silenced whenever they raise issues of corruption, mismanagement, or human rights abuses. Parliamentary sessions are increasingly becoming arenas where tough questions about looting of public resources are blocked under the guise of “Standing Orders.”
Hon. Hlatywayo later took to Twitter/X to express her frustration:
“On the 12th of September 2024, I rose on a Point of National Interest on alleged public officials’ corruption with a particular focus on the Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mr. George Guvamatanga. Unfortunately, I was stopped by the Speaker of Parliament before I could complete my Point of National Interest.”
Her experience adds to a growing list of opposition lawmakers who are being denied space to debate matters of national interest, especially when those matters implicate top government officials.
The Speaker’s conduct exposes the capture of Zimbabwe’s legislative arm by the ruling party. Instead of serving as a check on executive excess, Parliament has increasingly become a fortress defending ZANU PF elites from accountability. The blocking of questions about corruption undermines the very purpose of Parliament: to act as the people’s watchdog and a guardian of public resources. Corruption continues to cripple Zimbabwe’s economy, depriving millions of basic services, the silencing of MPs seeking answers shows a government more committed to protecting its cronies than serving its citizens. The events of 12 September 2024 serve as yet another reminder that until Zimbabwe has an independent Parliament, corruption will flourish unchecked, and citizens will continue to pay the price.
Read also: Zanu PF’s Energy Mutodi Exposes Corrupt Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Guvamatanga
