MDC-T tells parly, government is taking too long to implement provincial councils

MDC-T MP for Nketa in Bulawayo Phelela Masuku has accused the government of taking too long to implement the clause of provincial councils enshrined in the new constitution of Zimbabwe saying people will judge the legislators if that is not done soon.

Speaking during parliament sitting Masuku said President Robert Mugabe recently spoke about acceleration of the alignment of laws into the new Constitution but sadly, the process is very slow.

"Madam Speaker, as the nation celebrates that we have a home grown Constitution, it is so sad that the Government is reluctant to expedite the process," Masuku said.

"It is notable that people are still waiting for provincial councils to be established. Madam Speaker, as we speak now, we are in the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament without setting up these provincial councils. In my view, people are going to judge us as dishonest people. People spoke; what is provided in the Constitution, are the wishes of the people which we are supposed to observe and which the Government and the legislature should implement. Madam Speaker, I therefore appeal to the Executive to have the political will to implement the provisions of the Constitution."

Masuku said the President spoke about the provision of quality education as a key priority to the nation's development.

"I agree Madam Speaker but as we speak right now, we still have our pupils travelling very long distances in order to have access to education. We also have a situation in our constituencies where schools are overcrowded and when they are overcrowded like that, parents are even forced to look for schools for their children elsewhere, with the situation that we currently have in the country of unemployment further burdening parents and guardians on transport costs," he said.

He said  as enshrined in the Constitution, education is a right to children but  now, those parents who are not employed cannot afford to pay school fees and examination fees.

"I wish the Government should take note of that and do something about it. On the same note, people are paying taxes; businesses are paying taxes to Government, these taxes should go towards assisting those who are not employed, social welfare should be capacitated in order to assist our people who are not employed," he said.

"Madam Speaker, on the issue of corruption - it has been said that corruption is bad but it looks like it is becoming a talk show because our people want to see results and action. They do not want to hear anyone talking about corruption, they know that there is a high level of corruption in our country but they want to know what we are doing as a nation about it."