20 December 2023
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition strongly condemns the recent selfish behavior of some Members of Parliament (MPs) who have shamelessly prioritized personal wealth and luxurious privileges over the welfare and well-being of the Zimbabwean people.
The demands made by these MPs during the budget debate, which include top-of-the-range Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, hotel stays for their spouses, and extravagant additional benefits, are not only excessive but also reveal a shocking disconnect from the reality faced by ordinary citizens in our country.
Present day Zimbabwe is grappling with the devastating effects of a stagnant economy characterised by high taxation, high formal unemployment rates, a fairly dry summer and falling real incomes. The inequality gap is rising as a minority feed off Zimbabwe’s plenty of minerals whilst the majority, including civil servants, sink further into poverty.
Of particular concern is the fact that the Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, caved in to these outrageous demands by allocating an additional ZWL$225 billion to Parliament's budget, bringing it to a staggering ZWL$700 billion (about US$102 million).
This act of compliance with the MPs' demands is deeply disappointing and dismaying, as it further solidifies the perception that the ruling party's leadership is complicit in the grand scheme of personal enrichment commonly referred to as the "gravy train."
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition firmly believes that elected officials should demonstrate unwavering commitment to serving the interests of the people who entrusted them with power, especially the indigent and special populations like people living with disabilities, orphans, street kids and the aged.
This sad development, where the Government taxes the poor to feed MPs and the rich confirms our assertion that present day Zimbabwe is betraying the dreams of 18 April 1980 (Gutsaruzhinji/ Prosperity for all).
We urge all Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and actively engage in the discourse on the equitable distribution of resources and the need for responsible governance. The Constitution of Zimbabwe and the ethos of our liberation struggle have to frame our state and citizens relations.
Issued by: Marvellous Kumalo
Spokesperson
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