via Zanu PF MP: There is no poverty in Zim 06 July 2014 by Staff reporter
ZANU PF legislator, Tionei Melody Dziva, who represents the Midlands province under the women’s quota, torched a storm of controversy last week after rubbishing claims of high unemployment in the country.
“If there was poverty in this country we would be seeing dead bodies all over,’’ Dziva told delegates to a youth employment conference organised by the Youth Forum at a Harare hotel.
Helped by provisions in the new constitution, a record 124 women joined Parliament after last year’s elections with Dziva, at 29 years of age, the youngest of them. The former university student activist also sits on the parliamentary portfolio committee on youth employment, indeginisation.
“I do not think your figures (on unemployment) are realistic that unemployment rate is at over 65%,” Dziva told delegates aghast with shock.
“We have tax drivers, air time vendors, hair dressers and farmers that economists ignore under their definition of employment, yet these people are employed. If it is true that the rate of unemployment is so high, there would be no one in this country.”
The National Statistics Report published this year pegged the country’s unemployment rate at 11% against the 86% suggested by independent economists.
Sally Dura, chair of the Youth Forum and facilitator of the conference, had to intervene and calm emotions as the situation nearly turned out of hand.
“I would like to know honorable Dziva. Do you want to see dead bodies all over in order to believe that we are suffering?” asked a visibly angry participant from among the delegates.
Michael Kandukutu, the National Organizing Secretary for the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said the government’s definition of unemployment is misleading.
The government has often been blamed for falsifying unemployment figures in order to cover up for its failure to deliver the 2.3 million new jobs promised by Zanu PF and its leaders when campaigning for last year’s elections.
COMMENTS
Typical fulsome and minion of the ruling elite,possessing schizophrenic views.
Oh he obviously knows something none of us do. or he is totally blind!
Such a sad situation when a young person repeats the lies of their elders. Elsewhere in the world today young people are at the forefront of making positive change except here in Zimbabwe. People like her should be unemployed as she is quite clearly not the right calibre to be a member of parliament.
Too drunk on the endless opportunities of looting she/he will be getting as an mp.already singing fo her supper.wil probably get a farm or stand after this mimicking of her elders
very strange when the very people in positions are pleading poverty
The very same people in positions are pleading poverty, selling gold, and when it comes to the vehicles for MPs they are winging that there are sub-standard, going on shopping sprees to China, some are ven grabbing peoples businesses …….
Come and see where I live chum. Lost everything on the farm grab. Lost everything from these animals grabbing our FCA account. Pensioners with no livable pension. Poverty.
You believe if you get work through the back door Qouta representation you believe everything is rosy for everyone.One does not need a telescope to see the situation in Zim.We need educated representatives who are able to study and see the situation before becoming reckless with language.Remember you are just there for five years and then back on the road.
non so blind as those who will not see!!!count the nos who pay PAYE dear MP….
Matebeleland people are g in their graves madam, you want more people to die
Mat people rolling in their graves because of this comment about u wanting to c more bodies in the streets