Chinotimba, MPs and O-Levels

Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba this week took Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to task over whether he had said only those with Ordinary-Levels could be elected Members of Parliament arguing that some people like him had abandoned school to sacrifice their lives for the country.

Mudenda said he had never said that because Zimbabwe’s constitution did not stipulate that. What he had said was that in Zambia it was a requirement that a candidate had to have O-Levels to be elected to Parliament.

Independent legislator Temba Mliswa said the constitution must be amended because people must be educated so that they can represent the people adequately.

He chided Chinotimba that some of those who went to the liberation struggle now had PhDs.

Mudenda said the matter was not for debate but he was encouraging Members of Parliament to further their education.

“I am pleased to note that almost 120 Members of Parliament have gone back to college,” he said.

“Others have done second degrees, masters and there are about half a dozen who are doing their doctorates.”

Another legislator Murisi Zwizwai chipped in: “Chinotimba does not want to go school.”

Chinotimba responded: “Ndichienda kunodii?”

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