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Members of Parliament have pleaded with Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Mthuli Ncube, to ensure that their accommodation is paid for amid claims that some are sleeping in their cars after attending Parliament business in Harare.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200025574/mps-sleeping-in-vehicles">NewsDay</a>, ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi raised the issue as a point of privilege, saying they have raised the issue several times but little has been done to address it. Said Togarepi:
<blockquote>
I rise on a point of privilege after some perennial challenges that are facing Members of Parliament each time they come to the House.
There is a challenge in terms of accommodation, MPs get desperate to the point where some sleep in cars and others are disturbed by the approach of some of the hotels.
When members go to hotels, they are told in an unfriendly way that ‘we are not taking MPs,’ which is very disturbing.
The honour and the respect that MPs must be accorded, they are not getting any.
My issue is, where are those responsible in Parliament administration, why do they not engage service providers?
I am raising it here because I have engaged Parliament administration not once but many times, but we are assured and it is only this week that we are going to be sitting and many of our members are desperate.
We know that there could be challenges in terms of funding the stay, but they are not the source of money.
</blockquote>
Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda said he was aware of the MPs’ challenges and at one point approached President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene. Said Mudenda:
<blockquote>
I recall that the government chief whip approached me and the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion was not around.
I approached the Head of State and Government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He immediately called the permanent secretary George Guvamatanga and asked if there was a budget for Parliament.
He said yes and it will be done immediately because the situation in that particular week had become desperate.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe has a bicameral legislature, that is, Parliament is divided into two Houses. The lower house, or National Assembly has 280 members, and the upper house, or Senate has 80 members.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

"Members Of Parliament Sleeping In Their Vehicles"

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube has increased the budget allocation for Parliament in response to concerns that were raised by Members of Parliament (MPs).
The MPs had threatened not to pass the 2024 national budget if the Treasury did not meet their demands.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021175/mthuli-gives-in-to-mps-demands">NewsDay</a>, the lawmakers demanded top-of-the-range Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, hotel stays for their spouses and huge perks, as well as payment of salaries for their workers.
They said their welfare did not match their counterparts in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The legislators made the demands during the budget debate last week.
Ncube was forced to increase the budget allocation for Parliament to appease the MPs. He said:
<blockquote>
I propose increasing the budget for Parliament by another ZWL$225 billion so that it becomes ZWL$700 billion in response to those needs.
There was a question specifically about vehicles, we have budgeted ZWL$132 billion at the current exchange rate, which converts to about US$60 000 per vehicle.
We have done that but I think the main issue is that we increase the budget for Parliament to ZWL$700 billion.
</blockquote>
Ncube also proposed to increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) budget allocations.
210 legislators directly elected into office have access to CDF, which is allocated by the Treasury to initiate development projects in their constituencies. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
I am aware that we need to increase the budget for constituency offices and constituency visits.
Also, in the past, we have discussed research officers to support MPs and bolster the CDF. We have done some calculations with my staff.
</blockquote>
Ncube also told the lawmakers that the facility for the importation of their vehicles, including those from the Ninth Parliament, is still in place. He said:
<blockquote>
I must say that the facility for the second vehicle is still in place, so you are free to import a second vehicle.
Those from the Ninth Parliament who could not bring in cars before Parliament was dissolved, we are going to extend the Statutory Instrument so that you can bring in your cars.
I have already received a letter from the Clerk of Parliament of members who were affected. We are processing that as Treasury.
In terms of Parliament staff, they also have access to duty-free motor vehicles just like any other civil servant.
</blockquote>
Towards the end of the Ninth Parliament, the Government pampered MPs with US$40 000 housing loans but the move drew condemnantion from the public.
Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa criticised MPs from his party for accepting the loans which he described as a bribe from the ZANU PF-led government.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mthuli Increases Budget Allocation For Parliament

Members of Parliament (MPs) have demanded their sitting allowances which have not been paid for nearly five months.
On Wednesday, Norton MP, Temba Mliswa (Independent), raised a point of privilege in the National Assembly saying MPs have not received their allowances since September 2022. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007296/mps-raise-new-demands">NewsDay</a> quoted Mliswa as saying:
My point of national interest is sad because we seem to be seized with it and I know that it has a lot of unnecessary responsibility.
<blockquote>
It is about the welfare of the MPs, in particular, their outstanding allowances — they have not received their outstanding allowances since September.
On allowances, we did not get our monies, especially after coming from the pre-budget seminar.
This was in November, so we actually thought that since we had pre-budget in November, all the outstanding issues would be taken care of.
We then went on a break; there are field visits that are also outstanding in terms of payments.
The rate was $600 to US$1 at that time and now it has gone to $1 200, so we are merely getting half of what we were supposed to get.
So it is really out of that and the pre-budget Mr. Speaker Sir, also alluded to the fact that the Standing Orders Committee would sit down to come up with a way forward in terms of accommodation and allowances for MPs for those who do not stay in hotels.
</blockquote>
Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, then promised to take up the matter with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube.
Towards the end of 2022, it emerged that the Government had offered a US$40 000 loan to each sitting MP, US$500 000 for individual Cabinet ministers, and US$350 000 for their deputies.

MPs' Sitting Allowances Unpaid Since September 2022

An unnamed girl was allegedly impregnated by a Member of Parliament and when she came to Parliament to confront the alleged father, she was impregnated by another legislator.
This was said by Norton MP, Temba Mliswa (Independent), as he interrupted the debate on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission preliminary delimitation report in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Mliswa challenged male legislators to be responsible and support their children when they impregnate girls. He said:
<blockquote>
Mr. Speaker, my point of order which I would like the male Members of Parliament to pay attention to is: I received a family today who needed my assistance.
They have a daughter who was impregnated by a Member of Parliament. When she came here to seek assistance from another Member of Parliament, she was impregnated again.
I had asked them to put them in black and white. I do not know the Members of Parliament but just for you to know. 
Members of Parliament who are male must be responsible.
I will be putting this letter on social media and I would like the Members of Parliament who are involved to quickly support them.
We cannot be seen to be abusing children and making them pregnant. Those children need to eat.
If you are not able to support a child, do not have a child. Stop abusing the girl child.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://insiderzim.com/girl-impregnated-by-two-zimbabwe-mps/">Insider</a>

“Girl” Impregnated By Two Zimbabwe MPs, Says Mliswa

The leader of the opposition Labour Economists African Democrats (LEAD) party, Linda Masarira, has warned that the US$40 000 loans provided to legislators by the government will create voter apathy in the 2023 general elections.
The government extended a US$40 000 loan facility to all Members of Parliament (MPs) across the political divide and US$500 000 and US$350 000 for ministers and their deputies respectively.
The loan facility has been condemned by citizens considering that it comes when the MPs are nearing the end of their terms and the country’s health sector is in a sorry state.
Commenting on the loan facility in a Facebook post, Masarira said it will result in a low voter turnout in the 2023 election. She said:
<blockquote>
These loans are going to increase voter apathy in 2023.
Since elections are about 7 to 8 months away, how are the legislators going to pay back the loans if they are not re-elected into office?
I sense a grant packaged as a loan and we can’t keep silent as taxpayers’ funds are once again been looted.
The next we will hear is that the loans have been written off.
</blockquote>
According to a recent Afrobarometer survey, the electorate was dissatisfied with how its interests were being represented by MPs.
Parliamentarians are expected to represent those who elected them into office, but they seem to put a lot of pressure on the Treasury only when they want their needs to be met and their welfare to be catered for. | <a href="https://openparly.com/us40000-loan-facility-heres-why-masarira-has-rang-alarm-bells/">Open Parly</a>

US$40 000 Loan Facility Will Create Voter Apathy - Masarira

Social media users, including supporters of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), have condemned the opposition party’s legislators for accepting loans from the government less than 12 months before the end of their terms.
The government has offered a US$40 000 housing loan to each sitting Member of Parliament (MP), US$500 000 for individual ministers and US$350 000 for their deputies.
The loans have seemingly angered CCC supporters who feel that the MPs should reject them to prove that they are not in Parliament for personal gain.
University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Political Science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004372/ccc-mps-defy-chamisa-on-us40k-loot">NewsDay</a> that CCC MPs had fallen into the ZANU PF trap to expose the opposition party’s “lack of organisational cohesion”. He said:
<blockquote>
In this case of loans, the party is being judged against its moral standards. It is against their party position on pursuing selfless interests, but the MPs are rather benefiting from political patronage.
In this case, no party position has been abided by. The logical thing to do in this case was for them to sit down and discuss the matter and agree on one position.
What it means is that the leader is very consistent, but he has failed to whip his subordinates to one collective stance.
</blockquote>
Another political analyst, Vivid Gwede, said the public expects opposition MPs to act differently from ZANU PF legislators. Said Gwede:
<blockquote>
Members of Parliament from the opposition will always be held to a higher standard than those from ZANU PF because the expectation is that they should represent and bring a new culture.
That expected culture is about service over self. Hence, when they appear to be already enjoying themselves while the rest of the populace is suffering, there is a feeling of betrayal.
But that does mean that people should get acclimatised to the selfishness of ZANU PF MPs.
At this moment, MPs should be fighting for the resuscitation of basic public services such as health and education.
</blockquote>
Team Pachedu, a group of activists, critical of the government and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), said that Harare North MP Allan Norman “Rusty” Markham is the only legislator to reject the loan. It also said:
<blockquote>
US$500,000 grants for ministers is madness. US$350,000 grants for deputies is madness. MPs will not complain about this wasteful spending because they have been silenced with US$40,000. Zimbabweans, we are on our own!
Very unstrategic for CCC MPs to take the $40,000. With only 6 months before the next election how do they attack the other side of failing when they too received the loot? When the alternative acts like the current it ceases being one.
</blockquote>

"CCC Being Judged Against Its Moral Standards"

CCC leader Nelson Chamisa has castigated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government for its alleged misplaced priorities.
Posting on Twitter on Wednesday, Chamisa said it is “morally and ethically wrong” for the government to give out loans to “chefs” when the majority of the country’s citizens are suffering.
This comes after the government has offered a US$40 000 housing loan to each sitting Member of Parliament (MP), US$500 000 for individual ministers, and US$350 000 for their deputies. Said Chamisa:
<blockquote>
In any public office, any decision that prioritises self over the served is morally wrong, especially in a context where poverty pervades with citizens so hard-pressed and in circumstances of lack! Wrong leaders usually have wrong priorities.
The role of a government is to address citizens’ most urgent and pertinent needs. When this is abandoned, such a government merits replacement.
Any government that prioritises ‘chefs’ over citizens is not fit for the purpose. #CitizensFirst.
No public funds can ever be received or transacted silently. Accountability must always be full!
</blockquote>
Arguably, the majority of CCC supporters who have expressed their thoughts on social media have criticised the party’s MPs for accepting the loans, saying they are selfish.
Last month, Chamisa claimed that the ZANU PF-led government was bribing CCC officials to destabilise the opposition party ahead of the 2023 elections. He said:
<blockquote>
Anything that is valuable is bound to be betrayed or sold out. Economic circumstances are not for the lily-livered and the weak-kneed. Some are very sensitive to poverty and this economic environment has been very harsh.
Some would go for farms, nice cars, cattle, (and) coupons, while others will betray their birthright for a mere bowl of soup.
What is the birthright? Freedom, democracy, success and prosperity, the transformation of our country, good governance, citizen dignity — they will surrender those for their personal benefits.
But we learn from the best. (The late MDC leader) Morgan Tsvangirai never betrayed Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
However, CCC has not publicly stated its position on the issue of the loans, and reports suggest that only Harare North MP, Allan Norman “Rusty” Markham, has rejected the loan. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004372/ccc-mps-defy-chamisa-on-us40k-loot">NewsDay</a>

Chamisa Criticises Govt For Offering USD Loans To Ministers, Deputies & MPs

Members of Parliament are reportedly being turned away from hotels over unpaid bills whenever they come to Harare for Parliament sittings and are now sleeping in brothels.
The matter was raised in Parliament on Tuesday by Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa (Independent). He said:
<blockquote>
I think it is also important for you to know that the conditions which the Members of Parliament are facing are rather sad.
Not only that, just decency and dignity — we are fast losing it because of the accommodation crisis.
We have Members of Parliament staying at places like the Harare Club, which is a no-star and a brothel.
I think if there is no means of accommodation; it is good to advise MPs not to come, rather than exposing them to such places.
Others are married and being seen in such places does not augur well. It causes a lot of pain and disharmony in a family.
</blockquote>
In response to Mliswa, the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda said the issue of legislators’ accommodation should be presented to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube. Said Mudenda:
<blockquote>
To that extent, that honour needs to be respected and protected. So as a way forward, we will ensure that by tomorrow when the (Finance) minister is within the country, we iron out some of these issues which not only affect Parliament but have affected all government ministries because they owe the hotels. Some hotels have been owed from six to nine months.
They have been owed for a long time and what they are owed now has been eaten up by inflation. These are the concerns also of the hotels. They also want value for money.
So these are the issues, and we will sort them out. Any challenges are there to be sorted out and get solutions accordingly.
I am sure we should be able to find lasting solutions to that effect. So your point of order Honourable Mliswa is understood in that context.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002294/mps-kicked-out-of-hotels-over-unpaid-bills">NewsDay</a>

MPs Sleeping In Brothels After Being Expelled From Hotels Over Unpaid Bills

ZANU PF Members of Parliament (MPs) are reportedly unhappy over the government’s alleged failure to prioritise their welfare, while it is awarding cabinet ministers hefty packages.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, some ZANU PF MPs on Wednesday told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200000516/war-vets-demand-parly-seats">NewsDay</a> that they were being treated unfairly by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. One of the MPs said:
<blockquote>
As MPs, we are suffering, we are being treated unfairly, but our ministers are living lavishly.
They are given houses worth almost half a million, they are not being asked to move out of their hotels and it’s very unfair.
Most of the ministers are just technocrats, they don’t even know how to mobilise support for President Mnangagwa going into the 2023 elections.
</blockquote>
MPs were recently kicked out of hotels for non-payment of bills by Parliament, with others yet to get their service vehicles.
Another ZANU PF MP told NewsDay that they won’t speak about their welfare for fear of being branded traitors. Said the MP:
<blockquote>
It’s very unfortunate that as Zanu PF MPs, it is now difficult for us to speak about our welfare in Parliament because we will be seen as traitors.
</blockquote>
However, ZANU PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi said he was not aware of the MPs’ grievances. He told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
I am not aware of any such disgruntlement from ZANU PF MPs. What I am aware of is our government’s effort to improve the incomes and benefits of the civil servants, including those of MPs.
MPs, like all other people, are entitled to an income of their wish and they can raise their concerns honourably through appropriate parliamentary structures.
I am not aware of ministers’ benefits or how they compare with our MPs.
The duty of every ZANU PF member is to campaign for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and I want to thank our legislators for taking their deployment in their constituencies seriously.
</blockquote>

ZANU PF MPs "Jealous" Of Cabinet Ministers' Lucrative Packages

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday announced that Parliamentarians will be getting COVID-19 allowances and Cushioning allowances in United States dollars (USD). The COVID-19 allowance is US$75 while the Cushioning allowance is US$100 per month. Pindula News Presents Ncube’s statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>THE LEGISLATURE (PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE)</h2>
Parliamentarians and Staff of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have also had various reviews implemented across both salary and non-cash benefits as follows:-
• Salaries have been increased by at least 100% with effect from 1 July 2022
• Sitting allowances have been similarly increased.
• Government has also introduced a contributory medical scheme where Government will contribute 80% to the Subscriptions, similar to the scheme which is in place for Civil Servants.

<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/27/full-text-government-reviews-workers-salaries/">FULL TEXT: Government Reviews Workers’ Salaries</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/27/finance-minister-mthuli-ncube-announces-measures-to-cushion-teachers/">Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube Announces Measures To Cushion Teachers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/28/housing-loan-guarantee-scheme-for-security-service-officers-to-purchase-houses-in-areas-of-choice/">“Housing Loan Guarantee Scheme For Security Service Officers To Purchase Houses In Areas Of Choice”</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/28/government-announces-health-sector-specific-allowances-and-non-monetary-benefits/">Government Announces Health Sector-Specific Allowances And Non-Monetary Benefits</a></li>
</ul>
• Government has introduced a duty-free importation of a second motor vehicle for use by parliamentarians in their public service work.
• In order to ease transport challenges for employees, Government acquired buses for use by parliament staff. 
Constituency Visit Allowance
• In the spirit of “Leaving No-One and No Place Behind” in public engagement, Government has recently introduced a constituency visit allowance to improve close relations between elected officials and their constituents and electorate. Fuel is provided to members in all constituencies irrespective of the distance to their Constituencies from the Capital City.
• Members of the Legislature are also being paid the combined USD175.00 per month Allowance comprised of the USD75.00 Covid-19 Allowance and the USD100.00 Cushioning Allowance.
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a class="external text" href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/" rel="nofollow">Pindula News </a>is best enjoyed <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/?utm_source=PindulaArticles&amp;utm_campaign=DownloadLink">via the App. Download it here</a></h2>

"Parliamentarians To Get COVID-19 Allowance And Cushioning Allowance In USD" - Finance Minister

The twenty-eight (28) National Assembly parliamentarians that won in the 26 by-elections were sworn in on Tuesday when Parliament resumed sitting after a two-week break.
The MPs-elect took their oaths of affirmation to the Constitution and laws of the country before Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda.
The ruling ZANU PF party extended its two-thirds majority in the National Assembly after it won two seats that had been won by MDC Alliance in the 2018 general elections.
The seats are Epworth, which was one by Zalerah Makari and Mutasa South won by Misheck Mugadza.
The newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)’s Judith Tobaiwa won Kwekwe Central which was previously held by the National Patriotic Front.
The CCC MPs who were sworn in included Tendai Biti (Harare East), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Prince Dubeko Sibanda (Binga North), Amos Chibaya (Mkoba), Willias Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Chalton Hwende (Kuwadzana East), among others. Overall, there were 19 CCC MPs that were sworn in.
The 9 ZANU PF MPs that were sworn in are Zalerah Makari (Epworth), Misheck Mugadza (Mutasa South), Jeremiah Chiwetu (Marondera East), Nyasha Masoka (Murewa South), Munyaradzi Zizhou (Chivi South), Master Makope (Mwenezi East), Ncube Musa (Tsholotsho South), Davison Masvisvi (Gokwe Central) and Tasara Hungwe (Mberengwa South).
CCC won 19 National Assembly seats while ZANU PF won 9 seats in the 26 March by-elections.
The judicially constructed MDC-T, which contested the by-elections as MDC Alliance, failed to win a single seat.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/04/new-mps-in-baptism-of-fire/">NewsDay</a></h4>

New Members Of Parliament Sworn In

Zimbabwe’s legislators have demanded the speedy allocation of residential stands they were promised by the government some few years ago.
The stands were part of a long list of demands that MPs have made to the government which include among other things, new cars, gym, three-course meals, tablets, diplomatic passports, hefty salary and duty-free import licences.
Speaking in the Senate during a question-and-answer session, Senator for Harare Metropolitan Province Omega Sipani-Hungwe (ZANU PF) said they need to be allocated their stands before the 2023 elections because they are not sure if they will be voted into office again. She said:
<blockquote>Parliament has done very well in terms of the welfare of Members of Parliament. I was in the 8th Parliament, and we were promised that we will be allocated residential stands.
What is the progress in as far as those promised stands for Members of Parliament is concerned?
Some of us will leave Parliament and some will not come back when the elections are held. And others have passed on.
What is the status of the stands that you have promised us? And we paid some money towards the residential stands?</blockquote>
In response, Local Government Deputy Minister Marian Chombo said there is no money now to service the stands. Said Chombo:
<blockquote>With regards to stands for MPs, I am in agreement with you that the majority of members are unhappy. They are justified in being disgruntled because even those in the 8th Parliament have not received their stands and we are now in the 9th Parliament.
The reason was that the stands are there but have not been serviced. We do not have sufficient funding to service them. And it is now illegal for us to offer you an unserviced residential stand.
We have however sat down with Parliament and asked them to look for funding to service the stands and allocate them to Honourable Members. We are at an advanced stage, very soon you will be told the majority of your stands will be serviced.
I am asking Honourable Members who live outside Harare to also look for stands out there so that we put less pressure on the provision of serviced stands in Harare.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://openparly.com/index.php/2021/06/15/we-want-our-stands-before-we-leave-parliament-senators/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Open Parly</a></h4>

MPs Want Residential Stands Before 2023 Elections

Zimbabwe’s parliamentarians are asking for new cars, midway through their 5-year terms.
The current MPs, who were voted into office in 2018 and got their vehicles between 2019 and 2020, claim their vehicles are now expensive to maintain due to mileage.
MPs get vehicles under the Parliamentary Vehicle Loan Scheme for each term of Parliament.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Norton legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent), said:
<blockquote>The cars that we got have already done 200 000 km and if you talk to the motor industry fraternity, they will tell you that it is as good as being sold because it now costs more in maintaining the engine.
Most of them right now are paying more for the service because the engine does not have that capacity to be efficient.
I do not know if we could get other cars so that we remain efficient because they become dangerous when they are not efficient.</blockquote>
Zimbabwean legislators, like war veterans, have made a long list of demands over the years that border on selfishness.
The demands include gym equipment, all-terrain vehicles, three-course meals, duty-free certificates and diplomatic passports among others.
The MPs also want a monthly salary of ZW$72 000 and an allowance for visiting their constituencies, despite getting fuel allocation.
<h4>More: <a href="https://openparly.com/index.php/2021/04/13/we-want-new-cars-mps/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Open Parly</a></h4>

MPs Demand New Cars, Midway Through 5-year Terms

Members of Parliament said they need to be assisted on how to use the Samsung tablets that they were given for official use recently, saying they are familiar with iPhones.
Norton legislator <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Temba_Mliswa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Temba Mliswa</a> expressed the legislators’ concerns in the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/National_Assembly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Assembly</a> last week. He said:
<blockquote>I would also like to say these tablets that we got – I think we need to have a 30-minute lesson for all of us because some of us are used to the I-phone and not Samsung.
So anybody who needs further education on it can then see the ICT specialists. I think an understanding is needed.</blockquote>
Legislators were given tablets as part of a long list of luxury demands that they have been making to Treasury in the past years.
Meanwhile, most of the legislators are thought to be technophobia or ICT illiterate as indicated by their absence on social media and other platforms that are internet-based.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.openparly.co.zw/we-are-used-to-i-phones-teach-us-to-use-samsung-says-mps/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open Parly</a></h4>

MPs Ask For Tutorials On How To Use Samsung Tablets

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Priscilla_Misihairabwi-Mushonga" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga</a>, African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) chairperson, has urged the government to make it compulsory for members of parliament to disclose their assets.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga was speaking during a Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) policy dialogue for MPs and journalists held in Harare on Thursday. She said:
<blockquote>Some MPs that came to Parliament from 2000 are divorcing — and the amounts of properties that they would have acquired are very frightening.
You find a young MP who joined Parliament soon after college and they had no job, but they now own very expensive properties and vehicles.</blockquote>
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/MDC-T_(Khupe_Faction)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MDC-T</a> MP said that the disclosure of assets should be done in public in order to enhance accountability.
Currently, the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill is before Parliament and public hearings will be held on it in due course.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/10/make-mps-assets-disclosure-mandatory/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

It Should Be Compulsory For MPs To Disclose Assets - Misihairabwi-Mushonga

Members of Parliament on Monday received ZW$17 000 each following reports that they were planning to protest over unpaid sitting allowances during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> this Tuesday.
President Mnangagwa will also officially open the Second session of the Ninth <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Parliament_of_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Parliament of Zimbabwe</a> on the same day that he delivers SONA.
Some of the people who spoke to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a> that said President Mnangagwa should address issues to do with cash shortages, forex exchange rates and the welfare of civil servants in his SONA.
Others urged the president to speak on issues of unemployment, devaluation of the local currency and galloping inflation.
<h4>More: <a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/windfall-for-mpigs-ahead-of-sona/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zim Morning Post</a>, <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/president-to-address-nation-open-9th-parliament/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

MPs Receive Thousands Of Dollars Ahead Of SONA

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube said that the government will soon buy cars for Ministers and MPs who have been very patient up to now.
Ncube revealed this during an Alpha Media Holdings event dubbed In Conversation with Trevor on Wednesday.
One of the participants at the event, business executive Ashton Ndlovu, queried why the government was planning to buy vehicles at a time when the country is in darkness and owes South African power utility Eskom and HCB of Mozambique US$83 million. He said:
<blockquote>You spoke very eloquently about how patient ministers and MPs have been and how you are going to act this week on sorting out their cars.
I do not know how much that is going to cost, but if you juxtapose it against the US$43 million that we owe Eskom, of which we paid US$10 million, how do you think that is perceived against the background when the nation perceives that US$23 million paid to Eskom would alleviate our electricity situation substantially.</blockquote>
In response, Ncube said that the issue of ministers and legislators’ welfare also demands attention. He said:
<blockquote>We cannot have shiny cars parked around parliament when people are hungry and when inflation is raging the way it is doing; we need to manage perception, but unfortunately, there will always be competing needs because I also know, Mr Ndlovu, that there are MPs who are literally destitute, whose balances have been eroded by inflation.
They are getting into kombis to get to their constituencies and their communities have no respect for them. They do not believe that these MPs will bring relief to their communities when they cannot bring relief to themselves.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2019/07/12/govt-splurges-on-luxury-cars/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe Independent</a></h4>

Govt To Splash Millions On Cars While Country Languishes In Darkness

Parliament resumes business on Monday next week following a near month-long vacation over the festive season.
Parliament went into recess following the passage of the 2019 National Budget in the National Assembly and it now awaits debate in the Senate. The House resumes its business with the sitting of various portfolio committees on Monday. The Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services will hold a three-day induction workshop beginning Monday to familiarise itself with Parliament procedures. The induction will be led by parliamentary staff and officials drawn from the security ministries. Some of the issues to be discussed include understanding the mandate of the ministries of Defence and War Veterans Affairs and that of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.
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The Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development will on Monday receive oral evidence from the Insurance and Pensions Commission on the operations of the insurance and pension industry under the prevailing economic environment. Other committees will hold closed door sessions as they prepare for this year’s business. Both the National Assembly and the Senate will resume sitting on January 29.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/parly-resumes-sitting-2/">Herald</a>
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Parliament Resumes Sitting

Members of Parliament across the political divide rejected austerity measures as demanded that the Finance Ministry improve their welfare. They threatened not to pass the 2019 budget if Ncube refused to budge.
The MPs demanded latest 4×4 luxury Toyota Land Cruisers and state-of-the-art gyms as well as more savoury desserts like trifles and ice cream.
Parliament had demanded a budget allocation of $163 million in the 2019 budget and after much haggling, they got $143 million.
On November 22, Ncube announced a budget premised on ‘austerity for prosperity’. The main objective was to reduce government borrowing and expenditure.
A Newsday report claims that after the MPs got their demands, they ignored the debate on the vote of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC s in charge of civil servants, most of whom are threatening to go on strike. Doctors are already on strike.
Norton MP Themba Mliswa said
<blockquote>MPs are handicapped and we are talking of only one car, a Land Cruiser, which is the only car good enough for MPs to do their work because the Mazdas and Toyotas we get are not good enough.
MPs must have world-class gyms and recreational facilities to play golf. MPs must also be given diplomatic passports.</blockquote>
<h2>Related:</h2>
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<h3><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/12/10/35-out-of-97-mps-fail-to-account-for-50-000-constituency-development-fund/">35 Out Of 97 MPs Fail To Account For $50 000 Constituency Development Fund</a></h3>
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<h3><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/10/22/vehicles-are-a-critical-resource-for-mps-govt-must-stagger-their-purchases-mliswa/">Vehicles Are A Critical Resource For MPs, Govt Must Stagger Their Purchases: Mliswa</a></h3>
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<h3>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/12/mps-extort-govt-get-luxury-cars/">Newsday</a></h3>

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