adminFarirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Hurungwe North National Assembly representative Cde Rueben Marumahoko (Zanu-pF) says Parliament should reduce the number of legislators through a constitutional amendment.Cde Marumahoko made the suggestion while contributing to debate on President Mugabe’s speech at the official opening of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament.
Zimbabwe has 270 National Assembly representatives and 80 Senators, while there would be over 200 members of provincial councils when they are established.
“Can a country like Zimbabwe afford the number of MPs we have? Of course we will have challenges. As we speak Parliament is failing to pay honourable MPs. It is failing to give them fuel.
“It is a pathetic situation, it is unsustainable. This is a very small country that can survive with a very small Parliament and be able to achieve its goals,” he said.
At independence, Parliament had just 100 MPs. Legislators have for years struggled to get their sitting allowances and fuel allocations, while others have been locked out of hotels due to late payment of bills by Government.
Parliament owes members of the Seventh Parliament at least US$15 million in unpaid allowances, while debts to hotels also run into millions.
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