Zimpapers Logo

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Tempers flared in Victoria Falls last Thursday during public hearings conducted by legislators on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill after members of the public were told parliamentary staff capturing their contributions was not conversant with local languages.

The hearings were almost derailed as people protested after hearing that Parliament’s Hansard staff could neither understand Ndebele, Nambya nor Tonga, the main languages in Matabeleland Province.

This occurred during a joint sitting of portfolio committees on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Senate Thematic Committee on Human Rights and Peace and Security in Victoria Falls and Hwange.

The United Nations Development Programme and Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust funded the hearings.

The head of delegation and Harare West MP Ms Jessie Majome (MDC-T) told participants during a meeting in Victoria Falls that they were roping in an interpreter to translate their contributions.

This angered participants.

“Our contributions will be lost during translations. You knew very well that you were coming in areas where Ndebele, Tonga and Nambya are the languages but you failed to make provision,” said Mr Ishmael Mpofu.

Another participant said bringing in an interpreter was time consuming.

“We will spend the whole day here,” he said.

Ms Majome later abandoned use of an interpreter and opted for recording machines.

“I want to apologise on behalf of the administration of Parliament. Yes, I agree that we should have people who speak all the 15 recognised languages (in the Constitution) but for now this is what we have.

“We will continue using recorders and the translation will be done when we are back in Harare,” said Ms Majome.

During the proceedings, Ms Majome had another exchange with a participant after she tried to distance Parliament from the Bill, blaming the Executive.

The participant blamed Government for coming up with a Bill which he said left a lot to be desired particularly given “excessive” powers conferred on the responsible minister.

“Hon Majome do not be defensive. You are all part of the Government. Even the minister whom you are saying is responsible for the Bill is also a Member of Parliament,” said the participant.

Another participant said the Bill did not specify the context and the motivation behind it.

“What has happened? Why do we need the Bill? We are talking of peace and healing but the Bill does not tell us what has transpired.”