Big Brother in Zimbabwean parliament

Big Brother in Zimbabwean parliament

• Brief parliamentary sitting ignores crisis

• Lobengula causes stir in Parliament

• Zimbabwe senate will last only 5 years

• Moyo fights senate constitutional amendment

By Lebo Nkatazo

SPEAKER of Parliament, John Nkomo and the legislative assembly's clerk, Austin Zvoma, have clashed over the installation of surveillance cameras at Parliament Building said to have gobbled billions of dollars.

Sources said differences arose when Nkomo insisted on the equipment being installed inside offices in addition to entrances and corridors where they have already been placed.

"The cameras have been installed and they are overlooking all entrances, doors to offices, corridors and the car park. Entrances to the Conference room, where Senators would seat, have also been covered. Nkomo wanted them inside offices, but Zvoma opposed the idea," said a parliamentary source.

"Zvoma was of the view that it would be intruding in people's privacy. It seems that his wish, for now, has carried the day," said a source.

Entrances to the Nkomo and Zvoma's offices are also monitored.

A Msasa based company Leabridge is said to have been awarded the tender and went on to contract a Chinese company. There were no advertisements for the tender.

"To show that the Chinese did the work, wherever the Msasa company does work, it puts signs that its protecting the premises, but there is nothing like that at Parliament. Go to CBZ in Harare, you will see the Leabridge sign," the source added.

Apart from Nkomo and Zvoma, the majority of Members of Parliament are said to be in the dark about the developments.

"Zvoma is quite powerful here. Even Ngwena (Emmerson Mnangagwa) failed to neutralise him during his time," a source added.

Zvoma was said to be out of office Friday, while Nkomo's mobile phone was not being answered.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
debate@newzimbabwe.com