MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT yesterday walked out of a workshop to organise the mobilisation of a “Yes” vote in the forthcoming referendum, demanding to be paid allowances for the awareness campaign.
Report by Everson Mushava
Addressing the MPs, MDC Copac co-chair Edward Mkhosi said MPs would be given copies of the draft constitution to distribute in their respective constituencies and conduct awareness meetings to mobilise people to vote in a referendum slated for March 16.
This prompted MDC-T MP for Makoni West, Webber Chinyadza, to ask if legislators would be paid for such responsibilities as was done during the outreach programmes in 2010.
“Are MPs going to be paid for the awareness programmes?” Chinyadza asked much to the glee of fellow legislators who applauded him. MDC-T MP for Masvingo Central Jeffreyson Chitando had to be called to order by MDC-T senator for Hwata Rorana Muchihwa after demanding that senator Editor Matamisa stop giving a vote of thanks before the issue of money was dealt with.
Other MPs were already trooping out of the room in apparent protest against the decision not to pay them.
“Let us have order and respect for each other, even if you may not like what has happened,” Muchihwa retorted. “You will recieve an answer. We are still consulting with the finance team from Copac.”
Chairman of the Copac subcommittee on finance, Zanu PF MP for Zvimba South Walter Chidakwa later announced MPs would not be paid because Copac did not have money and was still struggling to settle some hotel bills.
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“We are printing 100 000 copies of the draft constitution and we need to pay those who will translate the draft into various languages. We are looking for money from donors, but the money will not provide for publicity campaigns involving MPs,” Chidakwa said, much to the chagrin of the MPs.
MPs recently stoked debate when they reportedly demanded exit packages including luxury houses and top-of-the-range vehicles before Parliament dissolved ahead of elections this year.
Ministers are also reported to have demanded golden handshakes — a move blasted by political analysts and the generality of Zimbabweans as unbridled selfishness and greed.
