News / National
Arrest of corrupt MPs welcome - speaker
05 Mar 2012 at 05:33hrs | Views
Bulawayo â€" Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo has welcomed the investigation and prosecution of MPs accused of looting the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
"The question of accountability and transparency in the use of public funds must not end in the scrutiny of government but MPs' themselves must also be accountable. In this light, I welcome the stance taken by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) in investigating allegations of corruption levelled against MPs," said Moyo.
"It is my sincere hope that these investigations are not targeting certain individuals but are carried out in good faith on all MPs regardless of political affiliation."
St Mary's MDC-T legislator Marvellous Kumalo and Zanu PF MP for Magunje Franco Ndambakuwa were the first legislators to be arrested on allegations of abusing CDFs. Other MPs accused of failing to account for the funds include Zanu PF MP for Hurungwe North Peter Chanetsa and MDC-T legislator for Kariba Cleopas Machacha.
Moyo's observation comes at a time when a number of MPs are facing charges of abusing (CDFs), money meant for the development of their constituencies.
The Speaker called for the enactment of a law that directs parliamentarians to declare their assets to curb corruption.
Parliament already has a Code of Conduct and Ethics for legislators to declare their assets but it is not legally binding.
"My office is committed in ensuring that all MPs sign a Code of Conduct and Ethics and register their financial interests according to the Standing Orders of Parliament," said Moyo.
"As we reflect on the implementation of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, let us remember that there is no legal instrument to compel the registration of financial interests by MPs."
He added: "Therefore, there is need for Parliament to enact a law that will criminalise an MP's failure to abide by the Code of Conduct and force him to register his/her financial interests on assumption of office."
"The question of accountability and transparency in the use of public funds must not end in the scrutiny of government but MPs' themselves must also be accountable. In this light, I welcome the stance taken by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) in investigating allegations of corruption levelled against MPs," said Moyo.
"It is my sincere hope that these investigations are not targeting certain individuals but are carried out in good faith on all MPs regardless of political affiliation."
St Mary's MDC-T legislator Marvellous Kumalo and Zanu PF MP for Magunje Franco Ndambakuwa were the first legislators to be arrested on allegations of abusing CDFs. Other MPs accused of failing to account for the funds include Zanu PF MP for Hurungwe North Peter Chanetsa and MDC-T legislator for Kariba Cleopas Machacha.
Moyo's observation comes at a time when a number of MPs are facing charges of abusing (CDFs), money meant for the development of their constituencies.
Parliament already has a Code of Conduct and Ethics for legislators to declare their assets but it is not legally binding.
"My office is committed in ensuring that all MPs sign a Code of Conduct and Ethics and register their financial interests according to the Standing Orders of Parliament," said Moyo.
"As we reflect on the implementation of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, let us remember that there is no legal instrument to compel the registration of financial interests by MPs."
He added: "Therefore, there is need for Parliament to enact a law that will criminalise an MP's failure to abide by the Code of Conduct and force him to register his/her financial interests on assumption of office."
Source - standard
