HARARE – Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Chalton Hwende has come under fire after publicly defending a proposal for Members of Parliament (MPs) to receive US$150,000 housing loans each, a move that has sparked widespread outrage among Zimbabweans.
Hwende, who represents Kuwadzana East constituency, argued that such perks were not new and had been enjoyed by both ruling party and opposition MPs since 2000. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Hwende said critics were being selective in their outrage.
“The uncomfortable truth is that everyone who has been an MP since 2000 for the opposition and ruling party has received cars, stands, loans, medical aid, salaries, bonuses, and some even got cars from (Gideon) Gono outside Parliament, but they are your favourites; you will pretend like you don’t know,” Hwende wrote.
He maintained that the proposal for the housing loans was a collective position agreed upon by all legislators.
“My position was a collective position. I don’t need the salary myself or the loan, but we work as a team. That’s why I am happy to take the insults on behalf of 360 MPs because at the end of the day it’s the collective that matters,” he said.
Hwende’s remarks drew sharp criticism from social media users who accused him of being out of touch with the struggles faced by ordinary citizens amid economic hardship. When confronted by one critic, he responded:
“I have been an MP for two terms. Why should I want to be an MP again and earn US$268 when I have a kid in university in Australia? Think man.”
Former Mt Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere stressed that being a legislator should be regarded as a calling to serve, not a career for personal gain.
“In my humble view, being an MP should not be viewed as a career but as a vocation and opportunity to serve. It’s not the place to seek financial reward or make a living if that’s what you’re after,” Mahere said.
She added that parliamentary work often comes with personal costs rather than financial benefits, emphasising the value of social impact and integrity in public office.
“Being in Parliament actually costs you money because you’ll need to fund constituency meetings, spend hours reading reports, scrutinizing draft legislation, preparing for parliamentary debate, doing committee work and attending Parliament. You won’t recoup that money from an MP ‘wage’.
“The payback is the satisfaction you get from playing your part to drive social change, giving back to your community, serving the people and being a voice for those who put you there. There’s no amount of money that can beat that,” she stated.
Former Cabinet Minister and current Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart also dismissed Hwende’s claims that MPs had always received extensive benefits.
“Those who were elected in 2000, 2005, and 2008 were able to buy a car (free of duty) for each term of office and were paid a menial salary and received basic medical aid.
‘I certainly never received a stand or any other type of loan and as far as I can recall no one else did,” Coltart said.
He added that even as a Cabinet Minister between 2009 and 2013, his salary was modest.
“My first paycheck as a Cabinet Minister was US$100 in February 2009, which grew to US$3,500 by the time I left office. I never received housing loans or any other perks,” he wrote.
Hwende, however, stood by his remarks, maintaining that earlier MPs benefited indirectly.
“This is false. They got a free car from Parliament. I was the constituency coordinator for Kuwadzana in 2000 and personally collected the car for Hon Jongwe,” he insisted.
Many citizens have described the proposed loans as insensitive and unjustified in the current economic climate.
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