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Dr Parirenyatwa

Zvamaida Murwira Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT plans to quarantine for 21 days people who travel to Zimbabwe from countries  that have been affected by the Ebola virus, the Senate heard yesterday.On a related health matter, the Upper House also heard that law enforcement agencies should arrest prophets who claim to have a cure for HIV and AIDS, diabetes and cancer and those who urge patients to stop taking their medication.

Commenting on the Ebola threat, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, said one   measure to prevent Zimbabwe from being affected by the deadly disease was to isolate people coming from such areas including Zimbabweans to allow adequate monitoring and determine whether they had no symptoms.

Minister Parirenyatwa said this while responding to a question from Mashonaland East Chief Musarurwa who wanted to know what Government was doing to contain the disease.

“We implore our people to stop travelling to those countries, we know Zimbabweans love travelling a lot. Those who come from those countries are going to be separated and screened for some time because Ebola’s incubation period is 21 days,” said Minister Parirenyatwa.

Minister Parirenyatwa said government was  aware of reports that some prophets were claiming  that they could cure HIV and AIDS, diabetes and cancer.

He warned people suffering from these ailments against discontinuing their medication.

Mashonaland Central Senator Alice Chimbudzi (Zanu-PF) wanted to know what Government was doing with those prophets who made such “dangerous” claims.

“It is bad that prophets and other church leaders claim that they can treat HIV/AIDS with their water. The virus cannot be removed by water but should be treated although it cannot be cured. I will talk to Minister of Home Affairs (Kembo) Mohadi to arrest those people,” said Minister Parirenyatwa.

“People should continue taking their tablets while they are receiving prayers.”

On another matter, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa said President Mugabe would not come to Parliament to field questions as Cabinet Ministers taking them were adequately prepared to represent the Head of State and Government.

Minister Mnangagwa was responding to a question from Bulawayo Metropolitan Senator Agnes Sibanda (MDC-T) who wanted to know if there was no legal requirement for the President to periodically come and respond to questions.

Minister Mnangagwa said they had removed that policy which used to be there and the President would only come to officially open Parliament and make a State of the Nation address as and when he deemed it necessary.

“Munoda kuti President vauye muno vazobvumburudzwa nemaMP. (You want the President to come here and be grilled by MPs). If you are anxious to do that you should grill us Ministers, we will adequately respond,” said Minister Mnangagwa.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Cde Edna Madzongwe, yesterday commended cabinet ministers and their deputies for attending yesterday’s question and answer session.

Three weeks ago Cde Madzongwe and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Cde Jacob Mudenda, warned Cabinet Ministers to attend parliament to field questions saying if they failed they risked being charged for contempt of Parliament.

“I still want to appeal to the Ministers to respond to motions because some of them are related to issues in their ministries,” said Cde Madzongwe.