Minister of Home Affairs Obert Mpofu caused disruption in Parliament on Thursday when he refused to answer any questions from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy. The minister accused Portfolio Committee chairperson Temba Mliswa of having an agenda and declared that he will never cooperate as long as Mliswa was presiding.
Understandably, most Zimbabweans were put off by the minister’s behaviour although some saluted him for his brazenness. Here is how some Zimbabweans reacted.
Mpofu has managed to turn this into a circus. This chap called Matambanadzo is behaving like a hooligan. If Mpofu wants @TembaMliswa to recuse himself he must give reasons. He can’t just say he won’t cooperate because Mliswa is chairing @OpenParlyZw
— Alex T Magaisa 🇿🇼 (@Wamagaisa) February 22, 2018
Mpofu’s arrogance’s and disdain for parliamentary authority shows why he shouldn’t be in this government. He turned all the government anticorruption calls into empty and vacuous rhetoric. His behavior in parliament today shows why he should never be allowed near cabinet office pic.twitter.com/9C83GlmtfW
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) February 22, 2018
Dear @edmnangagwa,
I can’t understand why this man is in your Cabinet. Such arrogance on national display does not bode well for your Govt. Please suspend him. He must respect the people who are the reason he is a Minister. #ObertMustFall pic.twitter.com/yEtz1vzXjS
— Fadzayi Mahere🇿🇼 (@advocatemahere) February 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/matigary/status/966664240118550528
I'm not at all surprised by Obert Mpofu but by those who expected anything different from him. On top of that, é fact that some still v energy to 'cry' to ED to deal with Mpofu is ludicrous. Please note that problems can never be solved on é same level they were created.
— Patson Dzamara (@PatsonDzamara) February 22, 2018
IS THIS THE ZIM WE WANT? MINISTERS WHO DONT WANT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE?
Minister Mpofu appeared before Mines Parly Committee re: missing $15billion
Mpofu: "As long as you Mliswa are the chairperson of this committee I will not cooperate with you"
Video: https://t.co/mn5ykpYtyP https://t.co/gtwH87QKxW— Violet Gonda (@violetgonda) February 22, 2018
Obert Mpofu has just proved to every Zimbabwean that he is untouchable @OpenParlyZw
— Munya Bloggo (@MunyaBloggo) February 22, 2018
Temba dzungu anoriwanza, now he has put himself in a fix. Kurohwa netechnicality. He should recuse himself https://t.co/oW5ksFxnZ2
— C.E Mambo 🇿🇼 (@cemambo) February 22, 2018
Temba Mliswa is a very toxic politician. What could have been an interesting hearing is now reduced to a personal matter between himself and Obert
— Nqaba Matshazi (@nqabamatshazi) February 22, 2018
Obert Mpofu had his game plan on point . Mliswa was clearly outmatched today by Mpofu. The parly committee were caught unaware but they should have had contingency plans to deal with Mpofu's arrogance
— Study in Europe , UK , Canada , Australia & Asia (@SimbarasheZW) February 22, 2018
Former Mines Minister, Obert Mpofu, refuses to cooperate with Parliamentary Committee on Mines & Energy. Zimbabweans deserve straight answers on the opaque, corrupt goings on in the Mines ministry but if today’s events are anything to go by, straight answers will never come. pic.twitter.com/XdNJq9Tqiq
— Miles Tendi (@MilesTendi) February 22, 2018
I second that @TembaMliswa is now compromised, he should recuse himself and if he had any questions prepared he can leave them with any member of the committee to get answers from Min Mpofu
— Margaret Matibiri (@lizmaggz) February 22, 2018
Obert was in contempt of parliament from the start. @TembaMliswa failed to hold the line & focused on the wrong matter. #CommitteeReview @OpenParlyZw
— Noel Nyasha (@NoelNyasha) February 22, 2018
Mpofu must be charged with contempt. Ministers must respect the authority of Parliament. Allowing him to escape this behaviour without censure sets a very bad precedent @TembaMliswa @edmnangagwa https://t.co/nRSvxiaQZ7
— Chenai Zengeza (@Miss_Chenzo) February 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/joeblackzw/status/966642895402004481
Obert Mpofu's whataboutery (whataboutism) during the Mines & Energy Committee with regards to our missing USD15billion is cheap polilicking that needs to be done with. No man should be bigger than the law & he must (still) be held accountable. @OpenParlyZw @TembaMliswa #Zimbabwe
— Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi (@TapiwaMutisi) February 22, 2018
Am now waiting for the action from ED after the walkout by Minister Obert MPOFU.@mimmitwit @Mavhure @matigary @larry_moyo @TichRay @Connmwanawashe @dudumo @preshyzim @edmnangagwa
— Raymond Majongwe (@RMajongwe) February 22, 2018
ED: There should be no sacred cows. My government will have zero tolerance towards corruption.
Obert Mpofu: pic.twitter.com/a1JZTX8fnV
— Nyasha Musandu (@NMusandu) February 22, 2018
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I salute and respect you my Minister Mpofu, why vana Temba vacida kuzviita shasha so
Many still think that Mpofu has something to do with $15billion diamond money. This was a chance for him to ensure that we know what really happened. Now that he has shown that he is bigger than we thought, Zanu pf has lost my vote. We are talking about eradicating corruption while the people that the whole of Zimbabwe suspect are corrupt are left scotfree.
Mr O Mpofu,why do you refuse to co-operate with those probing about the 15 Billion Dollar saga.Your refusal make us conclude that you have got something to do with that missing money.Moreso,take off that G40 tendency which is still hovering over your head.You are no longer the ‘gods’ you used to be during RG’s era.Dont take the Masses for granted and be warned that you are being watched.The People of Zimbabwe are more clever that your imagination.Say what you know about the missing money because the Masses are eager to know.
Very stupid oldman Obed Mpofu ,a well educated Ndebele guy from Mashonaland ,you ate 15 bills dombis while 15 millis Zimbos are starving ,shit madala
What l have realised is that we cant separate political hatred and matters on hand, Temba did nothing wrong, positions come with accountability, the honourable minister should have answered questions he was asked, we should stop this “agism” culture, vanhu vakuru havavhunzwe, hee we fought for this country iwewe uri pwere, what utter nonsense, we want that 15billion dolars back (if it ever left the country, that is)
President ED Obert has to go irrespective of whatever respect you have for him cz his representing your vote and do u think the masses will vote for such an arrogant man thus his gonna cost you come elections. Please release him he is total toxic to the new legacy, he has nothing to give Zimbabweans except payback looted diamonds