This is shocking. Such an enormous amount of money could have made an huge difference to the lives of millions. It could have fed hungry children. It could have bought drugs for the sick. So much could have been done to uplift the lives of Zimbabweans with this money.
Our Members of Parliament are not badly rewarded for what they do. Their remuneration packages, including vehicles, are not bad compared to the lot of the average Zimbabwean – even those lucky few who have jobs.
Some of our MPs – in fact 150 of them – obviously need to be reminded that the Constituency Development Funds belong to their constituents.
When they abuse this money they are stealing from the people they represent. There should be zero tolerance for thieving MPs. Those who have stolen from their constituents should be given a few weeks to repay this money. If they are unable or unwilling to do so, they must have the book thrown at them.
They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. An example must be made of them. It should not matter which political party they come from. The various parties represented in Parliament should make it clear that MPs who steal from their constituents will be disqualified from contesting the next elections.
If Zimbabweans are serious about tackling corruption, let us start with our lawmakers. It should be made abundantly clear that criminals have no place in our legislature.
We commend those 60 MPs who have accounted for the funds – and who have used them for the benefit of the people who put them into power.
Voters will take this into account when polling day comes around again.
The news this week from our colleagues in the state-controlled media that they have been ordered not to expose corruption in high places would seem to suggest that there are many in high places who are determined that this festering cancer in our society should continue un-checked.
We are determined that it will not.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga