I think we need Mature and academic debates in parliament to debate sound policies

The level of debates in our parliament continue to show shallowness and remorse. I'm quite disturbed with the MPs that we have in parliament. Honestly I was watching the live debate in parliament today, it is wastage of tax payers' money altogether. How can we have people discussing about under wears and miniskirts the whole day? The economy is on its knees and someone is busy showing his shallowness in parliament. I think the parliament admin should do something about the calibre we have in parliament for 2018 both Zanu pf and opposition. I'm not going to take a stance in politics but my duty is to advocate for better policies which are pro-poor for socio-economic development. This issue of bringing grade ones in parliament is an embarrassment to our country. We have good and talented people in Zimbabwe who can stand as MPs with sharp minds, who can really participate in national politics for the betterment of our country. I'm very disappointed by Nelson Chamisa, Walter Mzembi and others who continue to show their arrogance in parliament at the expense of the nation. Do these MPs have caucus meetings before they come to parliament? If they have what are they discussing in such meetings? It is a cause of concern in parliament and to the public gallery. When we are discussing national issues affecting day to day running affairs of this country we should try by all means to avoid partisan politics. How many times have the issue of gukurahundi been brought to parliament? What has it achieved so far? Nothing. This is toxic issue that has affected peace and reconciliation agenda in some parts of the country. If you look at what is happening in the country, people must shelve politics aside and start to have mature discussions. Most of these guys are getting sitting allowances, free beer, car loans and some kind of package and some even sleep in parliament and it's a waste of tax payer's money. Look at the age limits in parliament, we have grandmothers in parliament, uncles who should be at home busy taking too little children or doing other activities such as farming but they are still in parliament. This is the third time listening to such debates and I tell you I'm very disappointed and I'm not amused. We need strong academics and level headed who can bring real issues affecting the nation. We have corruption at stake, people swindling ministries, ZIMDEF funds disappearing, we have many things to talk about which are seriously affecting the nation. Last time I was listening to Chamisa and Khupe on ZEC matters there was no consistency, you could see that their questions were a bit weak and lacked logic. For Chamisa I have great respect for him as a young lawyer but I have so many questions regarding the way he presents himself in parliament, and how he interacts with his opponents, it seems he does not hold parliamentary business in a serious manner, it looks like he is one of them. The opposition's role is to provide checks and balance in parliament. Here are some of the things I feel should be their top priority when it comes to parliamentary debates

1. Corruption in the Government and private sector

2. Presidential term limits

3. ZEC's role in providing independent elections

4. Governance issues

5. Bloated Government

6. Human rights

7. Taxation

8. Policy formulation

9. Realignment of new laws

10. Liquidity crunch and the state of the economy

Feedback to the Grassroots

Most of these MPs have spent five years in parliament but nothing has materialised in parliament. Go to their constituencies there is nothing to show it is as good as nothing. How then do we evaluate progress on the ground? Most of these guys they go to parliament for cash, cars and allowances and pocketing donor funds. We need grassroots connectivity. When did they last have meetings with grassroots for feedback purpose? Most of them they resurface when it is time for elections so that they are re-elected back to parliament. We have roads, dams that need urgent attention, we have places like Bulawayo and Harare which are facing serious water crisis and who cares? Bulawayo is running out of chemicals for water treatment who cares? Look at the state of our roads. Since the local Government chief declared our roads for state of emergency what has the government done so far on the issue of roads? We have civil servants issues, bonus issues, and their welfare.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as head of MINDS organization which is responsible for policy research and analysis. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com