MUGABE ANGERS MPs BY BLOCKING THEIR QUESTIONS ABOUT NOCZIM!

Mugabe blocks MPs' questions over NOCZIM corruption


ZIMBABWE has been grappling with a fuel crisis for years

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By Lebo Nkatazo

Last updated: 05/07/2007 19:56:54

LEO Mugabe, the chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and and Communications faced a mini-revolt from fellow committee members on Monday when he blocked MPs from quizzing a minister over the alleged abuse of the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (NOCZIM) fuel by Zanu PF officials.

Tempers flared when Mugabe, a Zanu PF lawmaker for Makonde, declared that a question on the alleged corruption involving fuel by the opposition MDC's MP for Harare Central, Murisi Zwizwai, was "out of order".

Mugabe abruptly declared the meeting closed as MP’s pressed on with their questions to Energy Minister, Mike Nyambuya, and NOCZIM acting Chief Executive, Isaac Mhaka.

Zwizwai first asked Nyambuya why Zanu PF was benefiting from Noczim fuel, but was ruled out of order by Mugabe who said the allegations of corruption were "not a party issue".

The meeting was called after the committee found out that money allocated in the budget for road construction was not being utilised, with constructors
citing lack of fuel.

Nyambuya told the committee that there were “competing priorities” and
government had provided a list of government departments and parastatals to be provided with fuel.

Zwizwai rephrased his question and asked: “The schedule you have given us listing those being given fuel does not include Zanu PF. So why is Zanu PF getting NOCZIM oil?”

Before, Nyambuya could respond, Mugabe interrupted: “We are not talking about political parties. We are talking about transport -- public transport.

“I do not want to be misunderstood on our role and functions. We have no problem with whoever you give fuel. We just want roads to get fuel.”

Zwizwai interjected and said the reason why the roads were not getting fuel
was because it was going to Zanu PF, which was not on the priority list, so the question should stand, but Mugabe, again ordered Nyambuya not to respond.

The MDC MP said he would ask the question in open Parliament.

“Chairman, you are becoming over – protective," Zanu PF's Chitungiwza Senator, Forbes Magadu muscled in. "You have made this to degenerate. I am very cross with you.”

He was also ruled out of order by Mugabe.

A visibly angry Luveve MP Esaph Mdlongwa warned Mugabe: “Next time you should take us seriously.”

Prior to that, Mhaka told the committee that the country requires 3 million litres of diesel and 2,5 million litres of petrol per day at a cost of US$ 3,3 million but NOCZIM was providing 270 000 and 300 000 litres per day respectively.

The private sector was also importing fuel but this was not enough to meet daily national requirements.