MPs’ graft probe imminent

Patrick Chitumba Senior Reporter
PARLIAMENT is expected to set up a committee in due course to investigate corruption and poor corporate governance in State enterprises and parastatals. MDC-T legislator for Kambuzuma, Willias Madzimure in February moved a motion condemning graft and recommending the setting up of a panel to deal with the scourge as part of parliament’s oversight role.

The motion gained support across the political divide as lawmakers put aside partisan interests and steps to constitute the committee are expected to begin within the next two weeks.

In an interview yesterday Zanu-PF National Assembly chief whip Cde Jorum Gumbo said they were looking forward to the setting up of the committee to assist in nipping corruption in the bud.

“President Mugabe on September 17 last year spoke strongly against corruption and as Zanu-PF and its leadership including Vice-President Joice Mujuru have spoken against corruption on many fora. So we are fully behind the motion to set up the committee in parliament to fight corruption,” he said.

Cde Gumbo said the legislature was going to wage a ruthless fight against corruption.
“We don’t support corruption and we should fight it ruthlessly since it is not progressive. It’s not good for the country and it does not matter which political party one belongs to, we must all fight it,” he said.

Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC-T), who seconded the motion, said the appointment of the graft committee was imminent.
“After the motion was moved, it is now under debate and this week or next week we are going to wind it up and once we are agreed, we will forward it to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders chaired by the Speaker of Parliament (Jacob Mudenda). That committee will then appoint members who will form the ad-hoc committee,” he said.

The mover of the motion, Madzimure said the committee should be able to investigate, recommend a forensic audit and rope in the police, if necessary.
He added that politicians are some of the major perpetrators of corruption in the country.