ZENGEZA East MP Alexio Musundire (MDC-T) wants Parliament to discuss the issue of political parties’ financing by the fiscus when the House resumes on July 1.
VENERANDA LANGA SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER
Musundire has already given notice to introduce the motion in the National Assembly saying he was concerned that government was not adhering to the constitutional requirement to provide funding to political parties.
According to the Political Parties (Finance) Act (PPFA), funding of political parties by the State is provided to any political party with a 5% threshold of the vote (Electoral Act 2:13).
The country has up to 25 political parties, but only Zanu PF and the two MDCs qualify for State funding. Other parties have to fund their political activities using their own means.
The motion that Musundire intends to introduce, which is being seconded by MDC-T chief whip in the National Assembly Innocent Gonese, wants to raise dust over the money which has not been availed to political parties despite the Act stipulating that they should be funded from the fiscus.
“I wish to give notice of a motion noting that democracy plays a pivotal role in economic development and human rights issues, and cognisant that for democracy to flourish adequate funding is required,” Musundire said while giving notice of the motion.
“I am concerned that despite Parliament having enacted an Act that provides for funding to political parties, such financing has not been forthcoming.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Musundire said he was also going to call on government to avail Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations to MPs as these had not been availed to legislators for three years now.
During his 2014 National Budget presentation, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa did not allocate anything towards the CDF.
“Members of the legislature, councillors and other political structures are the conduits for economic development. I, therefore, call upon the august House to ensure that provisions of the Political Parties Act are implemented and money allocated during the budget for such purpose and other purposes, such as the Constituency Development Fund is released,” he said.
The CDF was last distributed to MPs in 2011 and three MPs were arrested on allegations of abusing their allocations.
In the 2013 budget, only $5 million was allocated towards the CDF, but no disbursements were made.
The Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has said they were going to bring a CDF Bill before Parliament to avert future abuses of allocations.
