via China shopping junket MPs rescued 01 July 2014 by Staff Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S legislators regularly plead poverty, claiming they cannot effectively discharge constituency duties or attend Parliament because the cash-strapped government has not been paying their allowances.
But this week it was revealed that 27 of the huge lot were stranded in China after straying during a shopping trip. There were fears the legislators would not be able to return home until July 7.
However, the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda told NewZimbabwe.com Tuesday that the MPs, now holed up in Beijing, would return home on Thursday.
They had flown to the Chinese capital on a private shopping trip but missed their return flight after they reportedly strayed into a distant Chinese province.
Initial reports said the MPs were likely to spend an even longer period in the Asian country due to what was said to be irregular Air Zimbabwe flights to Beijing.
But Mudenda, who distanced Parliament from the private trip, allayed fears the country’s legislators could rot in the Chinese capital.
“They are coming back on Thursday,” Mudenda said, “I can’t give you any details but all l can say is that it was a private arrangement in which the Speaker is not involved.”
Efforts to get more detail on the botched trip were unsuccessful although it was believed the MPs could have been offered discounted rates to fly to China by the struggling national flag bearer on private business.
MDC-T chief whip Innocent Gonese said he knew nothing about the “private” trip and referred NewZimbabwe.com to Zanu PF’s Makoni South MP, Mandi Chimene who is said to have organised the trip.
The MPs were reported to have ignored Chimene’s advice when they took off on high-speed bullet train to a Guangdong Province, which is almost 2,300 away from Beijing after they were informed things were cheaper there.
COMMENTS
And there we have it…our wonderful MP’s – not only without integrity but without shame. They should stay in China – good riddance.
why is the article not naming and shaming the people that went on a shopping spree?
They are probably being put up in a very posh hotel?
Just what the heck are these people doing shopping half-way across the world while complaining they haven’t received all their allowances from parliament? They are all the same irrespective of which party they come from while the rest of us can barely survive. I am happy to say I support neither of these bunch of blood suckers. What we need is our own DA type party in Zimbabwe that is inclusive of all races and particularly thinking people who want a better Zimbabwe for all.
Can’t organize a shop trip. Can’t organize pizup in brewery. Definitely can’t improve our nation. We just don’t even need a laughable pathetic bogus parliament. Bet you these scoundreis won’t pay duty at customs. Where art thou o Mr Graham pamberi looter of zimra ????
Shameful MPs!!!!! When the people that you purport to represent are starving and can not afford a decent meal, you are busy shopping in China. Its quite clear that you are in parliament to satisfy your interests. Where did you get the money? Hope we are going to see an increase in state revenues when you pay duty. ZIMRA should deny them the green route
yes come on then lets have the names of these shopoholics…
Shopping in China, following in Disgrace’s footsteps, how embarrassing but totally apt considering the bare shelves and the bare morals of the Zim pollies.
They are scoundrels while we suffer all is well for them vakakaura vaifunga kuti varikunyika kwavo