Zimbabwe MP complains: what can I do with a paltry $1 000 a month

HON. GUZAH:  On a point of order Madam Speaker.  I arise on a point of order with regards to the comments you made when you said Members of Parliament on this side of the divide cannot raise issues the way they were raising.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  No, that is not what I said.

HON. GUZAH:  Why am I saying this Madam Speaker, you must understand that the welfare of Members of Parliament cuts across the political divide – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – You must understand that clearly. We do not want to be gagged by the Speaker of Parliament when we speak of issues that are key to our welfare here.  You must understand, when we go back to our constituencies back there, people are looking at us.  We are using resources from our pockets to sustain our constituents.  We should not be barred from speaking our hearts and minds out.  Whether we are the ruling party or not, we must be able to speak our minds.  I thank you.

*HON. MATANGIRA:  Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to make my contribution – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –May you please give me time to make my contribution – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Members.  I think we should listen to what other Members of Parliament are saying.

*HON. MATANGIRA:  Madam Speaker, you made a prayer when you opened this session and in that prayer you said we are appointed by the Lord above that we reign over his people. We all know that the Lord is looking at us and the Lord is saying, “you Member of Parliament when you were campaigning you promised people that you were going to carry out developmental projects and you mentioned all those projects.”  When we made those promises, we hoped that there would be the CDF whereby we were going to get that money to carry out projects.  You said you will not come back if you do not carry out any developmental projects that you promised people. What did you say? – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

What we want is, to carry out and fulfil all the promises we made to our constituents.  We have the zeal.

An Hon. Member having passed between the Chair and the Hon. Member speaking.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Member, can you please take your seat – [AN HON. MEMBER:  She is a Minister.] – Yes, even the Minister is a Member of Parliament. Respect the procedures in the House and sit down.

*HON. MATANGIRA:  Now Madam Speaker, if you tell us to wait, munoziva mimba haivharwi nokuti rinemanyanga hariputirwe.  Right now, we are going to campaign in our constituencies telling our people lies.  Give us our allowances and CDF so that we can fulfil our promises.  If a Member misuses the funds, then they should be arrested.  We want money today and we do not want any excuses – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

Continued next page

(544 VIEWS)