Mthuli Ncube Proposes Pensions For MPs

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube proposed that MPs should get a pension after completing their five year terms.

Ncube suggested the addition of a clause in the Finance Bill which is now before Senate. Members of Parliament have since asked for vehicles and an increase in their allowances saying they play an important role in the running of the country. Ncube announced the proposal to provide pensions during the 2019 National budget debate in the National Assembly. Said Ncube:

We have an additional clause that we propose should be added, Clause 37; which pertains to the Parliament Pensions Act. Amendment CAP 2.02. The Parliamentary Pensions Act Chapter 2.02 is amended. In Section 7 entitlement to pension by insertion of the following sub-section 2 ‘for the purposes of the proviso to subsection 1, a former member shall be entitled to be paid a gratuity calculated at the rate of 130 second of his pensionable retiring emoluments for each complete month of his/her service in Parliament. I propose that we adopt it as is. This will deal a comfortable blow to the welfare of Parliamentarians.

When asked by Mbizo legislator Mr Settlement Chikwinya (MDC Alliance) if the pensions will apply for members of the Ninth Parliament only or if those who sat in the previous parliaments, Ncube said the gratuity will be retrospective.

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