MPs not social welfare officers – Parliament

Harare (New Ziana) – Newly elected Members of Parliament have been warned against assuming the role of charity and social welfare officers for their constituencies but focus on their duties as espoused in the country’s Constitution, a senior official said on Monday.

Legislators in Zimbabwe play three roles – representative, legislative, and oversight during their five-parliamentary term of office.

But when campaigning for seats, often the MPs promise to undertake developmental and charity projects which do not fall under their purview.

Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda told an induction seminar for the new MPs that it was unfortunate that the public will start viewing them as funders for their social problems.

“For the public when they see an MP, they see a social welfare worker; they also see a funeral assurance body; they also see someone who is responsible for paying school fees for their children,” he said.

“But I think its important for the public to know that it is not your role. There are other government departments and structures responsible for that,” he said.

Chokuda stressed that the mandate of parliament is legislation, representation and oversight.

“Those are basically the mandate of Parliament, not to pay school fees, not to bury people, not to fund graduation parties and so on. I know when you were campaigning you may have promised people differently. You will have to deal with it but these are your roles,” he said.

Nyanga South MP, Supa Mandiwanzira said Parliament should raise awareness on the roles and responsibilities of the legislature.

“There should be a plan by Parliament to educate the public on the role and responsibility of MPs,” he said.

New Ziana