Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa was yesterday put in a corner by his twitter followers over “appallingly disgusting” demands by his Members of Parliament for personal perks during the debate on the 2019 budget for Parliament.
He promised to call them to explain.
The MPs demanded new 4 by 4 vehicles and threatened to derail the 2019 budget if their demands, which included increases in their allowances, were not met.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube who had allocated Parliament $101 million, an increase from $80 million in the current year, was forced to increase the budget to $145 million after the legislators, mostly from the MDC Alliance, refused to budge.
The MDC MPs included Settlement Chikwinya of Mbizo, Job Sikhala of Zengeza West, Prince Dubeko Sibanda of Binga North and Innocent Gonese of Mutare Central. Gonese was the party’s chief whip in the last Parliament.
Ncube initially increased the budget to $120 million, but the MPs rejected the offer insisting that Parliament must be allocated the $163 million it requested.
The parties finally agreed on $145 million.
The debate about the MPs behaviour was sparked by a tweet from Chamisa about Unity Day which said: “In a NEW era, 22 Dec shall be set aside as ‘UNITY and PEACE’ day. We’ve to rediscover the true sense of genuine UNITY and NATION BUILDING in our land to unleash peace, happiness & prosperity. Unity is celebrating diversity, differences and if need be, disagreeing agreeably.”
A follower describing herself as Freedom Fighter Activist responded: “Please address your MP’s appallingly disgusting requests in parliament and apologize to the nation for their selfish greedy conduct. We want an opposition that is NOT like #ZanuPF in everything. But what we have here is a clone of #ZanuPF.”
Chamisa responded: “MDC MPs shall be called to explain!”
Danny asked: “What is you take on demands from your MPs?”
Chamisa replied: “Out of turn with the MDC pro-people social democratic tenets. Mps must represent people not themselves as their primary task!”
Steve tweeted: “Issue yemota mainzwawo here? There is no unity if MP’s unite to buy latest SUV’s whilst hospitals don’t have enough medicine”, to which Chamisa replied: “I hear you.”
Cde Sir Kundo asked: “what say you about your MPs clamoring for expensive cars. Do we really need tht as a nation right now. Why not lead by example and instead come up with a much cheaper option. Coz i am starting to think kuti those MPs ideology is no different from ZANUs MPs.”
Chamisa responded: “Give them a chance.”
The MDC leader told Abson Chibgwe that the demand for cars by MPs was wrong politics.
Here is the full debate about the budget for Parliament
(299 VIEWS)
