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MP sorry for ‘leading others astray’ during China shopping spree

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yesterday publicly apologised for soiling the country’s international image.

ZAKA Central MP Paradza Chakona who reportedly led a group of local MPs which strayed into Guangdong province, over 2 000km out of Beijing and got stranded last week, yesterday publicly apologised for soiling the country’s international image.

MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER

He, however, denied reports that the MPs had gone to China on a shopping splurge, saying the trip was meant to explore business opportunities in the Asian country.

“I want to apologise to the President (Robert Mugabe), government and the country at large for this episode that happened. What we want to do is to apologise for putting the name of Parliament into disrepute,” Chakona said.

In an interview with NewsDay, Chakona said the 27 MPs in his group were never stranded, but were booked at Yuanhang International Hotel since Monday before their departure for Harare last Thursday.

“We paid our own money and we went there to explore business opportunities. I can’t go to China for familiarisation. We wanted a return for investment. MPs are borrowing money to come to Parliament as you have heard, how then do we get money for a shopping spree?” Chakona said.

He said they missed the flight because some of the MPs’ wives they boarded the airport bus with were misled by their spouses to go to Terminal 2 instead of Terminal 3.

“We missed the flight. It’s normal, but we were never stranded. It’s unfortunate it got this attention and others misrepresented facts.”

He also produced a document to prove that the private trip had been cleared by Cabinet.

The document, dated June 19 and signed by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, read: “His Excellency the President has authorised the following officials to go on a private visit to China from June 21 to July 2.”

Meanwhile, there was a mini drama at Parliament yesterday when Harare Metropolitan Senator Rorana Muchihwa (MDC-T) threatened to beat up organiser of the trip and Makoni South MP Mandi Chimene, accusing her of dumping them in China.

“You are rubbish. You rubbish person,” Muchihwa said as she charged towards Chimene, pointing a menacing finger at the Makoni South MP who remained composed and unfazed.

“If I had met her outside this building, I was going to deal with her,” Muchihwa fumed.