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Umzingwane legislator Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga displays ladies’ underwear during debate in the national Assembly yesterday

Diana Nherera Herald Reporter
There was drama in the National Assembly yesterday when MDC proportional representation member Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga waved used panties in the House before charging at Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena (Zanu-PF) whom she accused of undermining her on the floor, culminating in her ejection from Parliament.

This was after Cde Wadyajena pulled Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s jacket and passed a comment that they go outside.

The comment did not go down well with Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga who reportedly recently lodged a sexual harassment report against Cde Wadyajena to the National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda.

Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga was protesting against the importation and sale of second-hand women’s undergarments in Zimbabwe which she said exposed women to diseases.

She brought a carrier-bag full of the undergarments which she waved to legislators as she asked Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa what Government was doing to stop the sale of such clothing.

Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga unveiled the undergarments soon after Minister Chinamasa had finished answering her question on whether Government was considering banning second-hand underwear as these had health implications for women.

Minister Chinamasa said he would make a pronouncement on the matter during his mid-term monetary policy expected soon.

The ejection of Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga drew the ire of MDC-T members who felt that Cde Wadyajena should also have been ejected.

National Assembly Member for Harare Central, Mr Murisi Zwizwai (MDC-T) questioned why Cde Wadyajena was not ejected from the House together with Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga, especially as there was a sexual harassment complaint made against him. In response, Acting Speaker Ms Melody Dziva said she would not entertain people who interfered with her job.

“Your member crossed the floor and that is in breach of Parliament,” she said.