Parirenyatwa violated constitution- Ministers not allowed to do paid outside work

Health Minister David Parirenyatwa violated the country’s constitution as it forbids vice-presidents, ministers and deputy ministers from doing any other paid work during their term of office.

The constitution does not say what action must be taken on those who violate this provision but states that an act of Parliament must prescribe a code of conduct for vice-presidents, ministers and deputy ministers.

Veritas Zimbabwe says there is no such act – two years after the constitution was adopted. But it adds that this does not mean that section 106(2) can be ignored until an Act is passed.

Section 106 (2) of the Constitution states that:

• “Vice-Presidents, Ministers and Deputy Ministers may not, during their term of office—
• directly or indirectly, hold any other public office or undertake any other paid work;
• act in any way that is inconsistent with their office, or expose themselves to any situation involving the risk of a conflict between their official responsibilities and private interests; or
• use their position, or any information entrusted to them, to enrich themselves or improperly benefit any other person.”

Parirenyatwa was paid $100 000 by the cash-strapped Premier Service Medical Aid Society when only $23 000 was due to him.

He argued that the transaction was above board, but doctors are querying why he was paid not only what was due to him but also an advance of $77 000 when some of them have not been paid anything over the past three years?

They also argued that the payment undermined Parirenyatwa’s supervisory role over the corruption-riddled medical aid society which owes clients more than $140 million but has been paying top executives salaries unheard of even in the developed world.

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