MPs desert Parliament to rush off to welcome Mugabe

THE visit of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe brought yesterday’s parliamentary session to a standstill after only one hour, when Cabinet Ministers quietly disappeared at the start of the tea break to rush to Hosea Kutako International Airport.

Mugabe’s arrival was scheduled for 17h10 and protocol requires Cabinet members to line up along the red carpet at the airport. Members of Parliament, whose session started at 14h40, were adamant to take their usual tea break just one hour into the session instead of skipping it to at least sit until 16h00.When it came to the tea break at 15h40 sharp, out they went – either for tea or to their ministerial vehicles.The few who were left took their time strolling back to the Chamber instead of being back in their seats punctually at 16h00.The bell to call MPs back rang many times, but only 28 seats were filled.According to the Standing Rules and Orders, those present must wait 30 minutes in such circumstances, in case the required quorum of 37 MPs with voting power can still be achieved.After the 30-minute wait was over by 16h40, Speaker Theo-Ben Gurirab adjourned the session until today.The Minister of Labour, Alfeus Naruseb, who two weeks ago announced in the National Assembly that he would table the long-awaited new Labour Bill yesterday, told the House yesterday afternoon right at the start that he wanted to postpone the tabling until next week Tuesday.Members of Parliament, whose session started at 14h40, were adamant to take their usual tea break just one hour into the session instead of skipping it to at least sit until 16h00.When it came to the tea break at 15h40 sharp, out they went – either for tea or to their ministerial vehicles.The few who were left took their time strolling back to the Chamber instead of being back in their seats punctually at 16h00.The bell to call MPs back rang many times, but only 28 seats were filled.According to the Standing Rules and Orders, those present must wait 30 minutes in such circumstances, in case the required quorum of 37 MPs with voting power can still be achieved.After the 30-minute wait was over by 16h40, Speaker Theo-Ben Gurirab adjourned the session until today.The Minister of Labour, Alfeus Naruseb, who two weeks ago announced in the National Assembly that he would table the long-awaited new Labour Bill yesterday, told the House yesterday afternoon right at the start that he wanted to postpone the tabling until next week Tuesday.