News / National
Zanu-PF speaker blocks probe of corrupt ministers
09 Jul 2014 at 08:25hrs | Views
The speaker of the House of Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, on Tuesday blocked the setting up of a parliamentary probe team to investigate corruption allegations against cabinet ministers and state enterprises bosses, saying it was unconstitutional.
MDC-T legislator Willas Madzimure and Zanu-PF MP Irene Zindi in April moved a motion to set up an adhoc committee of legislators to investigate alleged corruption by cabinet ministers and heads of state enterprises and parastatals, amid revelations of plunder and looting through obscene salaries and allowances.
Mudenda said parliament's Standing Rules and Orders Committee met yesterday and deliberated on the issue before giving him the authority to make a determination.
He ruled that the motion, which was adopted by the House of Assembly, was unconstitutional as the powers to investigate corruption rested with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
"This House cannot be seen violating its own constitution (and), therefore, the chair rules that the resolution made by this House to set up a probe team is hereby declared void," Mudenda ruled, much to the displeasure of MPs who wanted to probe alleged corruption in state enterprises.
When Madzimure moved the motion, 13 Mps were nominated to be in the ad-hoc committee that was to investigate Cabinet ministers who were alleged to have received benefits such as vehicles and fuel from parastatals they oversee.
Zindi tabled the list of names of legislators she recommended to constitute the ad-hoc committee.
The Mutasa lawmaker was to chair the committee, with Zanu-PF MP Daniel Shumba deputising her.
Other members of the committee were Madzimure, Oliver Mandipaka, Mandi Chimene, Sarah Mahoka Jonathan Samkange, Edgar Mbwembwe, Beata Nyamupinga, Temba Mliswa, Chief Fortune Charumbira, Makhosini Hlongwane and Settlement Chikwinya.
But in his ruling, Mudenda said the powers to institute any probe should be mandated to ZACC and parliament has a role of oversight only.
"We must uphold the principle of separation of powers," Mudenda said.
During the debate that resolved to set up the committee, Zindi said one of the terms of reference for the committee should be to investigate allegations that some ministers received vehicles and other goodies from parastatals falling under their portfolios.
She said the committee should also determine the role played by ministers and permanent secretaries in ensuring good corporate governance in State entities.
"One of the functions of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is to expose and investigate all cases of corruption and to monitor corporate governance…they do so working with other state agencies responsible such as police," Mudenda said.
Meanwhile, MDC MP Priscilla Misiharabwi yesterday moved a motion demanding the scrapping of duty and value added tax on sanitary wear as most women were now using leaves and other substances that exposed them to diseases during their menstruation periods.
MDC-T legislator Willas Madzimure and Zanu-PF MP Irene Zindi in April moved a motion to set up an adhoc committee of legislators to investigate alleged corruption by cabinet ministers and heads of state enterprises and parastatals, amid revelations of plunder and looting through obscene salaries and allowances.
Mudenda said parliament's Standing Rules and Orders Committee met yesterday and deliberated on the issue before giving him the authority to make a determination.
He ruled that the motion, which was adopted by the House of Assembly, was unconstitutional as the powers to investigate corruption rested with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
"This House cannot be seen violating its own constitution (and), therefore, the chair rules that the resolution made by this House to set up a probe team is hereby declared void," Mudenda ruled, much to the displeasure of MPs who wanted to probe alleged corruption in state enterprises.
When Madzimure moved the motion, 13 Mps were nominated to be in the ad-hoc committee that was to investigate Cabinet ministers who were alleged to have received benefits such as vehicles and fuel from parastatals they oversee.
Zindi tabled the list of names of legislators she recommended to constitute the ad-hoc committee.
Other members of the committee were Madzimure, Oliver Mandipaka, Mandi Chimene, Sarah Mahoka Jonathan Samkange, Edgar Mbwembwe, Beata Nyamupinga, Temba Mliswa, Chief Fortune Charumbira, Makhosini Hlongwane and Settlement Chikwinya.
But in his ruling, Mudenda said the powers to institute any probe should be mandated to ZACC and parliament has a role of oversight only.
"We must uphold the principle of separation of powers," Mudenda said.
During the debate that resolved to set up the committee, Zindi said one of the terms of reference for the committee should be to investigate allegations that some ministers received vehicles and other goodies from parastatals falling under their portfolios.
She said the committee should also determine the role played by ministers and permanent secretaries in ensuring good corporate governance in State entities.
"One of the functions of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is to expose and investigate all cases of corruption and to monitor corporate governance…they do so working with other state agencies responsible such as police," Mudenda said.
Meanwhile, MDC MP Priscilla Misiharabwi yesterday moved a motion demanding the scrapping of duty and value added tax on sanitary wear as most women were now using leaves and other substances that exposed them to diseases during their menstruation periods.
Source - Zim Mail
