We are disappointed with the new crop of parliamentarians now sitting in the August house. It seems they have decided that they are going to take care of themselves and not worry, for the time being, about the people who elected them.We had placed our hope in them desperate for fresh leadership that would change the bad old ways that have landed us in this current mess.
We read with horror that they have decided to import fancy 4x4s rather than buy locally assembled vehicles – sending a message to all Zimbabweans that local is inferior.
This is indeed shocking. MPs should be at the forefront of promoting local businesses that create employment for the people. This is particularly important in Zimbabwe with its eye-watering present unemployment rate of 95%.
Some of our newly-elected MPs did not even have their own jalopies when they were elected in March. For them to regard locally assembled therefore reasonably priced vehicles as inferior is arrogant in the extreme. Our economy has virtually collapsed. The fact that any manufacturer is still producing anything at all is nothing short of a miracle. The new government should be focussed on supporting whatever local industries have managed to survive Zanu (PF)s decades of financial mismanagement.
For MPs to insist on top-of-the-range vehicles when most of their constituents no longer have access to, or cannot afford, public transport never mind the luxury of a personal vehicle is absolute nonsense. Its time they realised that Zimbabwe is not operating in a normal environment any more. The days when our legislators could enjoy the fruits of the fat of the land are long gone. It is time for belt-tightening.
For MDC MPs to jump aboard the Zanu (PF) gravy train that has been responsible for the destruction of our economy after such a short time in parliament, does not inspire confidence in the calibre of the peoples representatives.
We have not seen any outstanding MPs fighting for our rights, demanding service delivery by government, or raising issues that affect their constituents. The emphasis, it seems, is about perks for the MPs. How they should be paid to attend constitution-making conferences; the level of funding they should get for new vehicles; what type of vehicles they should get; and so on.
When are they going to start thinking of solving the problems affecting the people who elected them? We are waiting.
Word for Today
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives. I John 1; 8-10
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga