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Parliament has become a playing ground for ECDs and Grade ones

23 Feb 2017 at 08:33hrs | Views
I was equally disappointed when I was watching a televised parliamentary session yesterday and it all came to my sense to conclude that indeed that's why our country is in this state. Ladies and gentlemen we can never build Zimbabwe unless we are serious. I watched each and every session and honestly I was very disappointed. I kindly recommend that the constitution should be reviewed on the qualifications of an MP. I think a new law must be enacted to allow Zimbabweans to vote for an educated and sound MP. I was shocked to see some MPs sleeping on duty.

This is a tax payer's money. All they want is prestige and allowances and political relevance at the expense of the nation. We have real issues affecting Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans are tired of politics of hatrage and patronage they are thirsty of development.

They spend almost 2 hours arguing on issues that have already been dealt with. If you look at the shallowness and political bitterness that we have among the calibre of MPs that we have then you can simply measure our progress as a nation.

Currently Zimbabwe is on the verge of collapsing someone is busy joking in parliament then we need serious business.

Mnangagwa is good at cracking jokes in parliament and judging by his on looks it shows that he is out of touch with reality.

For example yesterday he was asked about the issue of doctors who are believed to be on strike and the state of health and current situation in hospitals he was reluctant to give sufficient answers in fact he was even cracking jokes. Turning to Chamisa a respected lawyer and legislator was making shallow debates jokingly.

Chamisa as a vice president of the largest opposition he is supposed to show maturity when dealing with national matters. His question was much disorganized, these MPs should have logic and consistency when coming up with questions that are pertinent which will be broadcasted on a national television.

You could tell that most of these MPs were not well prepared when tackling questions in parliament.

Turning to Matambanadzo who threatened opposition MPs who refused to recognise Mugabe s birthday bash in Matopos, I would like to advise him that Parliament is not a playing ground for shallow minds but when you are an MP you are a person of responsibility and people look up to you in society.

Hero worshipping leaders have destroyed a lot of politicians, ask Webster Shamhu he will tell you that it's not good to praise and hero worship people because one day those ants will consume you.

In communities people look up to councillors, MPs, Pastors Etc. so an MP should be a person of integrity. We need serious business in parliament.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON QUALIFICATIONS OF A GOOD MP

- We need MPs with a minimum requirement of a recognized university Degree and this will help to articulate issues

- A hard worker in the community

- A person with no criminal record

- a principled person

- five years' experience in private or public sector

- a person who has been a councillor before

- declaration of assets

- a person with integrity

- knowledge of ICT and Microsoft office

ISSUES THAT NEED URGENT DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT

- sanitary issues

- health matters

- state of the economy

- state of roads

- succession issue

- civil service salaries and allowances

- ZEC and election matters

- Ministers should be in office for one term only

- Corruption in Government and parastatals

- Foreign trips gobbling state funds

- Development

- Water and electricity issues

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal opinion as the Director of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability. MINDS is a civic society organization responsible for policy research, gender and development studies, public finance, sustainable development through Agriculture and rural development. He is also a consultant in Development and Capacity Development and Institutional Building. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com

Source - Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo
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