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NewsDay

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Former MPs to sue govt

Politics
FORMER MPs in the Seventh Parliament have resolved to take the legal route instead of picketing at the Parliament building as they seek to recover thousands of dollars they are still owed in allowances.

FORMER MPs in the Seventh Parliament have resolved to take the legal route instead of picketing at the Parliament building as they seek to recover thousands of dollars they are still owed in allowances.

BY OBEY MANAYITI

The former lawmakers met Clerk of Parliament Innocent Chokuda on Thursday to discuss how they could recover their money. But according to the former MPs, the meeting failed to yield much, prompting them to seek legal recourse.

In an interview with NewsDay, former Glen Norah MP Gift Dzirutwe said a majority of the former MPs failed to raise bus fare to come to Harare, hence the meeting was held between their representatives and Chokuda.

“We did hold the meeting with Chokuda, but the speaker was not there,” said Dzirutwe.

“We were five representatives from different regions. People didn’t have money for bus fares so they agreed to send representatives. We were told that there is no money.”

Added Dzirutwe: “We were also told by the clerk that they supplied Treasury with all necessary details like how much each individual is owed. There is totally no commitment to pay that money, therefore, we are now waiting to consult legally.”

About earlier proposals to picket at the Parliament buildings to force the government to pay up, Dzirutwe said the former MPs felt this would not have the desired impact.

“It’s difficult now to picket at the offices because it’s just the representatives. We are taking the legal route and we should know the outcome in the next couple of days,” he said.

Chokuda could not be reached for comment yesterday. The majority of former MPs are failing to make ends meet as they left Parliament heavily indebted after Treasury failed to pay them their allowances.

However, most of the MPs from Zanu PF were reluctant to join their colleagues fearing a backlash from their party.

Those who managed to make it back in the Eighth Parliament were reportedly promised that their money would be channelled towards the payment of their new cars, a move they also reportedly turned down.