Zimbabwe: MDC walks out of parliament, offices raided
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) MPs walked out of the chamber en masse in protest against the patently partisan manner in which parliamentary business is being conducted. “Parliament is increasingly being run in an openly oppressive manner, which is in by all definitions inimical to democratic principles,” said the MDC in a press statement. The following day, the MDC reported that its officers had been raided by more than 15 police officers some in riot gear and carried out a search for what they claimed to be subversive material.
MDC MPs walk out of parliament in protest of partiality
22 January 2004 MDC MPs walk out of parliament in protest of partiality.
This afternoon in parliament MDC MPs walked out of the chamber en masse in protest against the patently partisan manner in which parliamentary business is being conducted. Parliament is increasingly being run in an openly oppressive manner, which is in by all definitions inimical to democratic principles.
This afternoon, for example when the leader of opposition Gibson Sibanda stood up on a point of order in relation to a decision that the Speaker had taken, the speaker angrily dismissed his point of order.
Then the leader of House Patrick Chinamasa crudely referred to those MPs who had spoken against the Land Acquisition Bill as 'enemies'. A point of order was raised in objection to this unparliamentary language. The speaker ruled that he had not interpreted that remark as implying that those who had spoken against the land Bill were enemies.
It must be realised that all those who spoke against the Land Bill were MDC MPs. In an environment where members of the opposition have been beaten up, tortured and harassed by Zanu PF supporters, Chinamasa's remarks may be read as an invitation to meet out violent retribution against MDC MPs.
While MDC supports the principle of Land Acquisition it spoke strongly against the subversion of the constitution that some sections sought to achieve.
In protest at the repeated partiality in the way parliamentary business is conducted MDC MPS walked out.
Paul Themba Nyathi Secretary for Information and Publicity
MDC OFFICES RAIDED
23 January 2004 MDC Offices Raided By police More than 15 police officers some in riot gear raided the MDC Head Quarters in Harare this afternoon and carried out some search for what they claimed to be subversive material
The police carried a warrant of search in which they quoted section 15 {A} of the Public Order and Security Act Chapter 11:7 which talks about publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state.
But they took a lot of our party material which is neither subversive nor prejudicial to the state in any way.
They took copies of various public documents, including a draft copy of our policy document which is due to be launched soon. They also took copies of our in house news bulletin, "The Changing Times", copies of staff telephone book, copies of the MDC information pack and many other personal documents which belong to MDC personnel.
The visit by police comes as no surprise as the party offices have been searched on several occasions before on spurious reasons, but nothing incriminating has been found.
After encouraging remarks by President Thabo Mbeki yesterday indicating a commitment by Mugabe and ZANU PF towards entering into a process of dialogue, this latest anti-democratic act is a set back towards creating an environment conducive for meaningful inter-party dialogue.
This is designed to derail MDC campaigns, which have gained momentum.
Paul Themba Nyathi Secretary for Information and Publicity