Zimbabwe’s top chief, Senator Fortune Charumbira, has described proportional representation seats as retirement gifts for tired politicians who no longer have any contribution to make.
At the moment 60 seats reserved for women are allocated on the proportional representation system but the arrangement expires in 2023.
Senators, apart from senator chiefs, are also elected on the same basis.
Women’s groups are fighting for the women’s quota to be extended beyond 2023 but are arguing that the current system must be reviewed.
Chief Charumbira, who is the president of the chiefs’ council, rubbished the present system saying: “Political parties are abusing the PR seats and they have become retirement gifts to some tired people who come into Parliament and do nothing. I know this because I am in Parliament and I see this everyday.”
He said legislators elected under the proportional representation system had no power because elected Members of Parliament used the constituency development fund to develop their constituencies and shut out those elected under the PR system.
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