HARARE – There was drama in Parliament yesterday as Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Member of Parliament (proportional representation) Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga almost engaged in a fist-fight with a Zanu PF legislator over alleged “sexual harassment”.
Trouble started when Gokwe-Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena inaudibly interjected as Misihairabwi-Mushonga was engaging Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa on the influx of second-hand female undergarments into the country.
Wadyajena had initially raised a point of order, saying the acting speaker of the house Melody Dziva was “favouring the opposition”.
Displaying female pants in the house, Misihairabwi-Mushonga wanted Chinamasa to explain if it was government policy to allow the importation of clothes which pose a risk to women. Following the controversial MP’s charge towards Wadyajena, who remained seated throughout the episode, it took the intervention of Parliament security to restrain an emotional Misihairabwi-Mushonga with Dziva then ejecting her from the House.
Speaking to the Daily News afterwards, Misihairabwi-Mushonga claimed Wadyajena has always been picking on her, including her dress code.
“The boy is always after me and I am tired. First, he said I always put on a miniskirt and I do not know who he thinks he is… At one point, he said I always pick on him because I was itching to have him (in my bed) and I have even reported him to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, but it looks like they cannot deal with him…,” a sobbing Misihairabwi-Mushonga said.
Meanwhile, in the House, other opposition MPs expressed disappointment with Dziva, who seemed overwhelmed by the task of being temporary speaker.
“As MPs who respect the rights of women, we get concerned when a female MP is harassed like that only for the Speaker to punish the victim,” Harare Central legislator from the mainstream MDC Murisi Zwizwai said.
Dziva, however, stood her ground declaring that she was in charge.
“I will not allow anyone to tell me how to do my job. The Honourable member in question crossed to the other side in breach of the rules,” she said.
