adminGPA parties agree on Sadc technical team
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
PARTIES in the inclusive Government last week agreed to have members of the Sadc technical team deployed in Jomic, more than a year after they were appointed.
The agreement was secured when President Jacob Zuma’s facilitation team held a joint meeting with negotiators to the Global Political Agreement in Harare.
Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC finally agreed on the role of the technical team.
The team comprises Ambassador David Katye from Tanzania and Mrs Colly Muunyu, a diplomat from Zambia.
Zanu-PF negotiator Cde Patrick Chinamasa said the team would complement the Sadc facilitation team.
“As you know, Jomic is made up of three political parties and these parties will meet to settle their differences should they arise,” he said.
“If there are challenges, then the facilitation team, assisted by the Sadc technical team, will come in to help us.”
Cde Chinamasa said the technical team would only assist Jomic without being a member of the organ.
“Jomic is for three political parties in the GPA. Just like facilitators, the technical team members cannot be members of any political party.”
The resolution to include the Sadc facilitation team in Jomic was made at the contested Livingstone Troika meeting in March last year.
Disagreements over terms of reference for the team by the political parties delayed its deployment.
Some of the parties wanted the terms of reference to be clarified and ensure it would not interfere with the country’s sovereignty.
The team would assist the Sadc facilitation team in speeding up the implementation of issues under Jomic.
MPs demand US$8m perks
Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter
LEGISLATORS are demanding about US$8 million from Copac for the 90 days they were reportedly underpaid during the Constitution outreach.
They said the US$25 per day they received was way below the approved allowance of US$75 per day for any parliamentary business.
The parliamentary welfare committee is set to meet soon to discuss the matter and make a formal request to Copac.
“Copac is a committee of Parliament, so they cannot pay MPs money that is less than what was approved by Government,” said MPs welfare committee member Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.
“Copac isn’t a political party that can say they don’t have money. We are going to raise it in the welfare committee and in the August House because we cannot create a situation where Copac can just do whatever they want.”
Cde Mudarikwa, who is Zanu-PF legislator for Uzumba, said all legislators across the political divide wanted the money backdated.
“We are going to engage Copac on this issue because first and foremost, MPs are entitled to US$75 per day for any parliamentary business.
“MPs are owed left, right and centre. It will only be proper for Copac to pay the outstanding amount.
“We will also ask Copac how much they got and how much they spent for accountability purposes.”
It is understood that Copac members were paid US$75 per day whenever they met on business.
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