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Biti slams 'unconstitutional' ouster of Mutodi
2 hrs ago |
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Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has denounced the removal of Energy Mutodi as Chairperson of Parliament's Budget and Finance Committee, describing the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Mutodi, the Zanu PF legislator for Bikita South, was dismissed from his position on Tuesday, just days after alleging that Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga had amassed over US$1 billion through kickbacks from contractors, ministries, and departments in exchange for processing Treasury payments. Although Mutodi later retracted his claims, the fallout has drawn sharp criticism from political observers and legislators.
Reacting to the development, Biti called Mutodi's removal "an abject unconstitutional overreach by a desperate cantankerous cartel that has captured the State and will do everything legally and extra-legally to perpetuate its vice-like grip on the public coffers of this country."
He argued that Members of Parliament have a constitutional duty to hold the Executive accountable in line with Section 119 of the Constitution, adding that parliamentary privilege protects legislators from reprisals for statements made in the House.
"Members of Parliament have absolute privilege and an unfettered right to freedom of expression when they debate in the chambers of the August House. Honourable Mutodi enjoys this constitutional protection," Biti said.
He further noted that the allegations against Guvamatanga warranted parliamentary scrutiny, pointing out that similar irregularities in Treasury payments had been highlighted in Auditor-General's reports.
"The issue of direct payments being made by Treasury to suppliers, bypassing line ministries and departments, has been documented before. In 2024 alone, US$2 billion of payments were made directly under Guvamatanga's authority as Paymaster General," Biti said.
Mutodi's ouster has sparked debate over the independence of parliamentary committees and the growing tension between oversight institutions and the Executive.
Mutodi, the Zanu PF legislator for Bikita South, was dismissed from his position on Tuesday, just days after alleging that Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga had amassed over US$1 billion through kickbacks from contractors, ministries, and departments in exchange for processing Treasury payments. Although Mutodi later retracted his claims, the fallout has drawn sharp criticism from political observers and legislators.
Reacting to the development, Biti called Mutodi's removal "an abject unconstitutional overreach by a desperate cantankerous cartel that has captured the State and will do everything legally and extra-legally to perpetuate its vice-like grip on the public coffers of this country."
He argued that Members of Parliament have a constitutional duty to hold the Executive accountable in line with Section 119 of the Constitution, adding that parliamentary privilege protects legislators from reprisals for statements made in the House.
He further noted that the allegations against Guvamatanga warranted parliamentary scrutiny, pointing out that similar irregularities in Treasury payments had been highlighted in Auditor-General's reports.
"The issue of direct payments being made by Treasury to suppliers, bypassing line ministries and departments, has been documented before. In 2024 alone, US$2 billion of payments were made directly under Guvamatanga's authority as Paymaster General," Biti said.
Mutodi's ouster has sparked debate over the independence of parliamentary committees and the growing tension between oversight institutions and the Executive.
Source - online
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