BY FLORIAN KAIJAGE
6th September 2013
House security guards, opposition MPs in skirmish
The physical confrontation in the House is the first in the history of the people’s representation body.
The MPs’ dramatic gestures led to chaotic outburst that lasted for an entire half hour in which up to a dozen security officers attempted to remove Mbowe from the House while his supporters fought them off.
From the previous day and representing the entire opposition side, Freeman Mbowe was advocating a stop to ongoing Bill deliberation for the Constitutional Review (Amendment) Act, 2013. He argued that the Bill’s preparation process did not incorporate views from Zanzibar stakeholders.
The actual call for suspension of the proceedings was made by Ali Khamis Seif, Mkoani (CUF) but his proposal was defeated by a majority vote (156 CCM MPs) versus only 59 supporting votes from Chadema, Civic United Front (CUF) and NCCR- Mageuzi, in fact it is only Augustine Mrema, (Vunjo, TLP) who did not cast a vote.
However, when Deputy Speaker Ndugai called for the debate to proceed, Mbowe, stood up in protest and when Ndugai ordered him to sit, supporting MPs (with exception of Mrema) joined their leader, and rose to their feet in defiance.
Anticipating the resistance to come, the Deputy Speaker called on the Sergeant at arms and other security officers to enforce his order and take Mbowe out of the House. It is at this point that hell broke loose.
Amidst verbal abuse, security officers applied physical force to push through the human shield made by the MPs in an attempt to get to Mbowe. Reports bearing that there was manhandling involving pulling, shoving and even punching and kicking.
At this point, Mbowe opted to voluntarily walk out but not before some of the security officers begun to push and shove him much to the protest of his supporters.
Mbowe eventually left the Parliamentary grounds but not before his staunch supporter, Joseph Mbilinyi (Mbeya MP)confronted and punched a security officer he accused of having kicked him in the face during the commotion.
Before the House skirmish, Tundu Lissu, Opposition Spokesperson and a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Legal Affairs and Governance, contradicted the committee’s chairperson Pindi Chana arguing that the committee never invited Zanzibar stakeholders to present their views.
“The first Committee’s schedule did not indicate anywhere that it would meet Zanzibar stakeholders… all 21 members were mainlanders…” he said adding “…the second schedule had 8 stakeholders from the Mainland and 7 from Zanzibar but it also did not visit Zanzibar,”
This claim was strongly refuted by Chana who asserted that the committee met representatives from Jahazi Asilia and (ADC) Alliance for Democratic Change political parties, all from Zanzibar. This position was seconded by Attorney General, Frederick Werema who said that even the Zanzibar Revolutionary government was consulted and his office received constructive inputs which have been accommodated.
“Among the inputs from Zanzibar include the new section 22(b) on gender representation… they also agreed on having 166 members of the Constituent Assembly” intoned the AG.
Later on, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Coordination and National Assembly, William Lukuvi accused Lissu of defaming the President’s name (punishable by law).
Lissu’s comment was that: ‘President Kikwete cannot be entrusted to appoint Constituent Assembly members because he did not follow set procedure when he appointed members of the Constitution Review Commission.
Despite this outburst, no repercussions are to be expected as Deputy Speaker Ndugai told the House that he has ‘forgiven’ and welcomed them back, an offer that they turned down. However, opposition has made it clear that they will continue attending Parliament sessions but will not participate in the New Constitution Draft debate.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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