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

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  I will respond to the concerns that were raised by the Hon. Member and pick on two to three issues.  Firstly, Hon. Ministers do not receive fuel coupons from Parliament.  Now, we have to form a caucus that will look at both sides and then invite the Presiding Officers including the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development so that we air our grievances. All of us want to benefit in all these issues you raised.

*HON. PARADZA:  Madam Speaker, you are proposing a caucus to discuss our welfare but there is no caucus that is greater than what we already are doing in this House. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

 *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order there is a higher caucus to this one because we are writing down all your concerns and we will present them to higher offices for action.  We are discussing about the welfare of all Members of Parliament and this is for the benefit of all parliamentarians whether in the National Assembly or Senate and we will take it up, but we cannot speculate how long it will take for them to respond. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – This is why I am proposing that we have a special caucus where we will have all the Presiding Officers and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development so that we come up with something.  At the moment, we may call each other names but as a Presiding Officer, I am not responsible for the disbursement of funds.  I am only proposing a way forward in resolving issues pertaining to our welfare.

*HON. R. N. S. MAWERE:  Thank you Madam Speaker. There is no partisan approach as far as the welfare of Members of Parliament is concerned.  Whatever it is, we are saying playing games with our welfare takes time. We only want to hear whether or not there is money that is set aside for Members of Parliament.  If the money is there, where is it?  Please give us. We cannot hire Wellcash because we opposed it in here. So, who then can we hire?

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  I cannot confirm whether funds are available or not because I am not in a position to do so.

*HON. ZIYAMBI:  The issue at hand is on the welfare of Members of Parliament and it is not enough that you have advised us to hold a caucus because we know that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will say they have no money and will advise us to wait for some time.

I am proposing that we enact a law that focuses on all the parliamentary concerns that we have been discussing here, highlighting how our funds should be disbursed and allowances as well.  Once that law is enacted, whosoever breaks it is liable for punishment because if we do not have that clearly laid out, we will keep on debating this issue annually.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  All I am asking from you Hon. Members, is to register your concerns and come up with proposals other than to keep complaining and raise emotions. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order, let us have order in the House and understand each other.

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