CHIEF CHIKWAKA COMPLAIN OVER YOUTHS DRESSING

CHIEF CHIKWAKA: I would like to ask my question to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. as A chief I am the custodian of culture in this country @namataik_ @MantateQueeneth @YoungWomenInst @NAYOZimbabwe

CHIEF CHIKWAKA: My reference is to the law with regards to the freedom of expression; the manner in which the youngsters are dressing exposing themselves. @PachotoTribe @MantateQueeneth @namataik_ @Cde_Ostallos @lilomatic

CHIEF CHIKWAKA: To them this is how they justify their actions because of freedom of expression but as a custodian of our culture and heritage, there is a conflict of the law with that regard.

CHIEF CHIKWAKA: This is how the children, the young generation is expressing themselves and on the other side as elders, we reprimand them but the law comes into conflict.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI ZIYAMBI: Thank you Mr President. I also thank the Hon. Senator for the pertinent question he raised on what can be done where there is conflict between laws. My question is, as a chief what can I do if I see children doing bad things, whilst they have that right.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI: I want to say in our Constitution, there are two chapters that cannot be amended before we go for a referendum; that is, Chapter 4 and Chapter 16. The other chapter is on oversight of human rights and the other one has to do with resettlement.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI: These laws cannot be changed without going for a referendum. Looking at Chapter 4 as you mentioned, it gives the right to children, which means if we have two laws which are competing, it is said that a law favours to give rights than taking away those rights.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI: So, Hon. Sen. Chief, if you are suggesting that children’s rights should be taken away, they use the law which favours them in terms of rights. Therefore, it implies that we must go back and reconstruct our Constitution and remove those rights.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI: There will be a problem and it is something which is there nowadays. Hon. Sen. Chief, we signed an agreement with other countries that we have to put into consideration issues to do with human rights, especially children’s rights.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI: When we grew up, we used to be canned but right now to can your child, you are told that you have violated the child’s rights. Right now, what is in the Constitution is what we voted for.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI: Therefore, our hands are tied; we cannot do anything except following the rights which were given to children in the Constitution.

CHIEF CHIKWAKA: Thank you Mr President. My supplementary question is should we let these children walk around improperly dressed. Imagine if my jacket was a dress, as short as it is and a girl sits at the Chief’s court, what are we saying Mr President. @namataik_ @MunyaBloggo

DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Sen. Chief Chikwaka, I think you are merely repeating your question and the Minister has already answered it but I will give him benefit of the doubt.

MINISTER ZIYAMBI: Thank you, Hon. President. Like I have already stated, if we say, we no longer want that law, then it means we have to change it