By Paidashe Mandivengerei
Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda has today dismissed social media rumours that a number of legislators were engaging in extramarital sexual activities in Parliament rest rooms.
A message circulating on whatsapp alleged that members of Parliament were using male toilet cubicles as their ‘love nests’.
The mentioned legislators include information deputy minister and Goromonzi South MP, Energy Mutodi, Tatenda Mavetera, Killer Zivhu, Joseph Chinotimba and MDC national chairperson, Thabitha Khumalo.
In a statement released Monday, Chokuda described the allegation as an attempt to soil the image of the MPs in question.
“The Parliament of Zimbabwe has noted with grave concern, the flagrant and irresponsible abuse of social media by one person supposedly writing under the moniker, Monica Mashinda in a brazen attempt to impugn the integrity of individual Members of Parliament and the institution of Parliament collectively.
The shameless author of the fake news article circluating on Whatsapp, makes patently untrue and malicious allegations against named Hon. Members of Parliament under the Headline, “Legislators Caught Pants Down in Parly Toilet.”
The said allegations attempt to sully the image of parliament and the characters of parliamentarians by giving the impression of an institution devoid of morality and the decorum associated with what is rightly termed an august institution.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe categorically dismisses this fake news article with the contempt it deserves and to reassure the public that nothing of the sort has ever happened, nor indeed, will it ever happen in Parliament. The nature of the security and traffic of persons within Parliament Building is such that the alleged trysts would not happen. Despite any misgivings the public might have, MPs are guided by strict rules of the decorum in their conduct which they earnestly endeavour to follow in and outside Parliament.
It is unfortunate and regrettable though that any right-thinking person, regardless of the fertility of their imagination, would unashamedly circulate news they know to be fake without any pangs of conscience particularly as it casts aspersions on the characters and standing of Honourable Members of Parliament or any other person for that matter. It is our hope that the public can see through this malicious vendetta of vilification and character assassination for what it is.”