MPs want an increase in allowances

Legislators yesterday indicated that they want an increase in their perks. They said this while contributing to a motion on approving the Code of Conduct and Implementation Register, which was moved by Kuwadzana House of Assembly representative Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Buhera West representative Oliver Mandipaka said authorities needed to revisit the perks that MPs get. Said Mandipaka:

It is high time the authorities revisit the perks that the MPs get because we can’t be asked to declare assets that we don’t have. It’s high time the executive revisit our perks because if you look at the perks that they get and the perks that we get, it’s unfair. We do a lot of work assisting the poor in the rural areas using our resources.

Chegutu West Member of Parliament Dexter Nduna said the issue of perks had forced MDC-T MP Tapiwa Mashakada to apply for the post of town clerk. Said Nduna:

I am trying to imagine Hon. Simon Khaya Moyo, Minister of Information and Publicity being ambitious to the extent of wanting to be a Town Clerk.  It does not occur but we are having Members of Parliament going that route because the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence.  That cannot be condoned and it can only not be condoned if we have the right perks and the right conditions, then gage and mark us against those values, not against the inheritance that I have got that I have brought to Parliament.

Buy Samsung, itel, Redmi smartphones in Zimbabwe

WhatsApp: +263715068543

James Maridadi who is MP for Mabvuku Tafara asked for the creation of a  Parliamentary Services Commission to manage the salaries of parliamentarians. Said Maridadi:

We should have put in place a Parliamentary Services Commission. Employees of Parliament are not civil servants and that must be understood. Throughout the whole world, employees of Parliament are employees of Parliament. Employees of the Judiciary are employees of the Judiciary and they must be treated separately. Employees of Parliament are treated like Public Servants. The reason is because it is structural. Parliament does not control its own purse. The purse of Parliament is controlled by the Executive. Mr. Speaker, one who pays the piper calls the tune. If the Executive today decides that Parliament is going to get their salaries on the 6^thof the following month, so be it because we have no structure which determines when we are going to get paid and which determines how much must be in our kit.

John Holder said that there was need for Parliamentarian’s allowances to be increased. Said Holder:

They need to look into what other countries around SADC are getting.  We were getting $75 sitting allowance per day yet Zambia was getting $455 – such a difference.  It is really sad.