A few MPs declare assets to Speaker

By Thelma Chikwanha

HARARE – Only 24 Members of Parliament out of  210 in the Lower House have declared their assets to the Speaker of Parliament as required under section 19 of the standing rules and orders of the house  in commemoration of the UN International Anti Corruption Day.

Speaking after a march organised by African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC), the organisation’s chairperson and MP for Kambuzuma, Willias Madzimure said those  who declared their assets had done so voluntarily.

Madzimure also said that declaring assets would go a long way in curbing corruption which he said hindered social and economic development and increased poverty by diverting domestic and foreign investment from the people.

“We are taking stock as a country, on the progress we made, on what we are doing and we are prepared to be scrutinised by the public. We also want to move for the adoption of section 19 of the standing rules and orders which requires MP’s to declare their assets to the Speaker of Parliament,” he said.

The APNAC chairperson also called upon members of the public to be very observant and speak out against corruption which erodes education and health systems thereby depriving people of their basic and fundamental rights.

“A lot of people are dying because they cannot afford to pay for Antiretroviral Treatment yet the Government is offering them for free. It is wrong for people to pay a headmaster to secure a learning place for your child. The headmaster should give your child a place at school without you paying him anything,” he said.

APNAC’s initiative comes at a time when Harare residents have called for a probe into allegations of corruption by the  MP for Zvimba North, Ignatius Chombo who is also the Minister for Local Government, Urban and Rural Development. Residents want the Minister investigated on his acquisition of 100 stands and houses from various local authorities countrywide.

Loveness Nzungu, a member of the public who also attended the march said the move by parliamentarians was admirable but the number of MP’s who declared their assets was insignificant.

“We would have appreciated it if prominent MP’s like Ignatius Chombo, Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti, Nicholas Goche and Bright Matonga had also declared their assets,” she said.

Willias Madimure (Kambuzuma), Blessing Chebundo (Kwekwe Central), Ransome Makamure (Gutu East), Jani Varandeni (Bikita South), Maina Mandava*, Lynette Karenyi (Chimanimani West), Margaret Zinyemba (Mazowe South), Hamandishe Maramwidze (Gutu North), Tall Chambati (Hurungwe West), Editor Matamisa (Kadoma Central).

Piniel Denga (Mbare), Jeffryson Chitando (Masvingo Central), Betty Chikava (Mount Darwin East), Metrine Mudau (Beitbridge West), Steward Garadhi(Chinhoyi) Ward Nezi (Murehwa West), David Anthony Chimhini (Mutasa North), Gabriel Ndebele (Matobo South), Felix Magalela Sibanda (Magwegwe), Dorothy Mhangami (Gokwe), were among the MP’s who declared their assets. Daily News