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Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Walter Kanhanga was questioned by senators why they had allowed semi-nude people to stroll the streets of Harare during the Harare International Carnival last weekend. Deputy Minister Kanhanga was also grilled on why his Ministry did not include traditional leaders who are the custodians of culture if according to event organisers, the event had to do with culture.
This was raised during question and answer session in the Senate.

Masvingo Senator Misheck Marava (MDC-T) asked if it was consistent with Zimbabwe’s culture to allow people to stroll in the streets semi-naked as what happened during the carnival.

“Yes, in our culture it is bad to see people naked, but in this case we were celebrating cultural diversity,” said Deputy Minister Kanhanga.
“People came with their different cultures to showcase. Another aspect is that the event was restricted to the road that we used.”

Chiefs council president Fortune Charumbira accused the organisers of the carnival of being hypocritical by portraying the event as cultural, yet no traditional leaders were invited.

“What is Government policy on inviting traditional leaders who are custodians of culture when conducting cultural events like the recently held carnival?” he asked.
“Traditional leaders were just reduced to observers during the carnival, but they are the custodians of the culture.”

Deputy Minister Kanhanga apologised to the chiefs for the oversight.
“Yes, we should work with traditional leaders,” he said. “You know when doing our work we might overlook certain important things. I want to apologise for that oversight.”

Responding to another question, Finance and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr Samuel Undenge said Members of Parliament were free to approach financial institutions to negotiate a vehicle loan if they were not satisfied with the deal structured by Government.

He was responding to a question from Bulawayo Metropolitan province Senator Agnes Sibanda (MDC-T) on why legislators were being restricted to Ford Rangers on the parliamentary vehicle loan scheme.

Dr Undenge said the facility was the best that Government could secure as other vehicle manufacturers were offering conditions the Government could not meet.
Meanwhile, Buhera South MP Cde Joseph Chinotimba yesterday protested at the adjournment of Parliament to July 1, 2014 saying legislators had not taken delivery of their new vehicles and that they were going home empty handed, with no fuel coupons for the past two months.

But he was ruled out of order by Deputy National Assembly Speaker Cde Marble Chinomona.
She said there were other platforms that such complaints could be discussed.

Cde Chinomona announced the adjournment of the National Assembly to July 1 without giving reasons, while Senate Deputy President Cde Chen Chimutengwende made a similar announcement without giving reasons.