A ZANU PF legislator has claimed that demonstrations over the disappearance of journalist-cum-human rights activist, Itai Dzamara last year could hinder foreign direct investment and progress on the implementation of the government’s 10-Point Plan.
by VENERANDA LANGA
Buhera West MP Oliver Mandipaka said this while contributing to debate on a motion on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the National Assembly last Thursday.
“The first challenge that will hinder progress of the 10-Point Plan is that we have our people who invite the media and say that in Zimbabwe, there are people who abduct others, like what happened a few weeks ago when we saw MDC-T members demonstrating at Africa Unity Square saying that Itai Dzamara was killed by the State,” he said.
“That does not work because we want foreign direct investment, and people will not have confidence in us as a country and this will hamper our progress as a nation.
“Painting a bad picture of this country will not bring in foreign direct investment because those who want to do business with us will not come because they will be hearing that we are not good people to deal with.”
Dzamara’s abduction became a hot potato in the National Assembly after Kuwadzana East MP Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) moved a motion to debate his disappearance and the welfare of his family.
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Debate on the issue, however, hit a snag when Zanu PF legislators, led by Mandipaka, contested that, arguing that there was lack of a quorum to ensure debate was adjourned.
The third time Chamisa attempted to bring back the debate on Dzamara, Zanu PF MPs deliberately walked out of the National Assembly to ensure there were less than 70 MPs in the House to allow for debate to resume.
Dzamara was abducted on March 9 last year by suspected State security agents and his whereabouts have remained a mystery.
