MDC cabinet disturbed by attempts to gag parliament

The Movement for Democratic Change shadow cabinet today said it was disturbed by attempts to gag parliament through unconstitutional and undemocratic rulings by the Speaker Jacob Mudenda.

“Parliament is a theatre and market place of ideas by the people’s ambassadors. The alternative cabinet calls upon the Speaker of Parliament to restore the credibility and integrity of Parliament by reversing and desisting from pursuing undemocratic tendencies,” the cabinet said in a statement.

It also expressed concern over the truancy and absenteeism of ZANU- PF ministers from parliament and said the ministers must be punished severely.

“For an effective democracy, ministers have to be accountable for their actions and responsive to questions raised by the people of Zimbabwe through their legislators,” the cabinet said.

Full statement:

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Alternative Cabinet deliberates on key national issues

Today the alternative Cabinet, which convenes fortnightly, engaged in a five-hour long robust and focussed debate on key national issues affecting the people of Zimbabwe.

The issues discussed ranged from corruption, humanitarian support for Tokwe-Mukosi victims, events and developments in Parliament. The plight of workers, the unemployed and retrenched majority in the country, the collapse of social services and infrastructure and the increasing levels of poverty and suffering were also discussed.

On Corruption
The MDC alternative government, extremely concerned and worried at developments in the country on corruption, received a corruption index from each ministry, chronicling and detailing how the country is being prejudiced by the greedy and corrupt few in charge of the affairs of key sectors of the economy.

Among the many shocking cases of corruption revealed was how parastatals have been turned into feeding troughs for the parasitic elite who seem to be enjoy Canaan while the rest of Zimbabweans are still in Egypt.

The alternative government is in the process of compiling a corruption dossier chronicling all corruption activities in the various sectors and departments of government.

On parastatals
the alternative Cabinet adopted a new model and policy that will eliminate the fingers of government functionaries from all the parastatals pie.

On the humanitarian situation at Tokwe-Mukorsi and in Tsholotsho, the alternative Cabinet set up a five-member task force that will assist in mobilising disaster support services for the thousands of flood victims in the afftected areas.

There was acknowledgement by Cabinet that Tokwe Mukorsi was not only a humanitarian issue but a national issue with a high security significance.

Cabinet noted that not enough has been done by the Zanu PF government to adequately respond and cushion the vulnerability and the unfortunate circumstances of the brave and humble people of Tokwe Mukorsi and Tsholotsho.

The alternative Cabinet is appealing to and calling upon all well-wishers to assist and take part in the rescue efforts to help the affected communities.

On Parliament
The alternative Cabinet noted the disturbing development and the needless attempts to gag parliamentarians through unconstitutional and undemocratic rulings by the Speaker of Parliament.

Parliament is a theatre and market place of ideas by the people’s ambassadors. The alternative Cabinet calls upon the Speaker of Parliament to restore the credibility and integrity of Parliament by reversing and desisting from pursuing undemocratic tendencies.

Further, the Cabinet notes with concern the truancy and absenteeism of Zanu PF Ministers concerning Parliamentary business. For an effective democracy, Ministers have to be accountable for their actions and responsive to questions raised by the people of Zimbabwe through their legislators.

It was agreed that delinquent Ministers must be punished severely as they constitute the dead wood that continues to cause the discomfort of the nation at large.

On the plight of Zimbabweans
The alternative Cabinet noted the deteriorating plight of the people who are suffering incessant power outages, worsening health and education services and an acute shortage of water even in the middle of abundant rains.

The MDC shadow cabinet resolved that the worsening economic situation was symptomatic of a deep political crisis emanating from the crisis of legitimacy and confidence in the Zanu PF government after the controversial poll of July 31.

Hon Nelson Chamisa, MP
Media and Communications (Alternative Cabinet)

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