via Speaker blocks probe of corrupt ministers 08 July 2014
THE Speaker of Parliament has blocked MPs from setting up a corruption probe targeting cabinet ministers arguing the move was unconstitutional.
Legislators wanted to probe parastatal bosses accused of corruption and ministers responsible for these state enterprises following the recent outrage over the huge salary packages drawn by the executives.
Again, while the CEOs rewarded themselves generously, their companies teetered on the brink of collapse with ordinary workers, in many cases, going for several months without pay.
Legislators moved to establish a probe team to look into the allegations of ministerial complicity which would have been chaired by Zanu PF MP, Irene Zindi.
However, Speaker Jacob Mudenda blocked the move arguing such investigations were the purview of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), a body that has been dismissed as toothless by anti-corruption activists.
“The chair has looked at the resolution and found that it is void. This house cannot be seen violating its own constitution,” explained Mudenda.
“The house cannot be competing with other state agencies that are tasked with conducting such investigations.
In April, MDC-T MP for Kambuzuma, Willius Madzimure moved a motion to investigate allegations that ministers received cars and gifts from parastatal heads under their charge.
Seconding the motion, Mutasa South MP Irene Zindi said allegations of financial impropriety had been levelled against state entities such as the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, NSSA, ZBC, Premier Services Medical Aid Society, ZESA and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
At the time the motion was moved and passed, 13 MPs were named to be in the probe committee which would have sought, among other things, to determine the role played by ministers and permanent secretaries in ensuring good corporate governance in State entities.
But in his ruling, Mudenda said powers to institute any probe should be mandated to ZACC adding Parliament only had an oversight role.
“We must uphold the principle of separation of powers,” he said adding that “one of the functions of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is to expose and investigate all cases of corruption and to monitor corporate governance.”
COMMENTS
Whilst these companies are parastatal they receive certain amount of patronage from Government, therefore the Taxpayer, the few of them left! So to state it is unconstitutional is perhaps the wrong answer because the people of Zimbabwe to whom these people are supposed to answer to need to account for their actions!
The speaker is blocking the motion because he is part of the thieving scum bags
Isn’t it unconstitutional for the Speaker to tell Parliment how to do it’s job – protecting the public’s interests through their oversight responsibility?
Carefully contrived checkmate; the sort of thing these fellows are brilliant at.
It’s just like Tomato saying that he can’t investigate fat cat CEO’s because they have contracts which were approved by the board of directors… or Mugabe claiming that as President he had no power to force ambassadors and governors to vacate their posts for MDC nominated individuals, until their current terms expired – which was after the coalition government ended, by the way!
The chain of corruption which extends from Mugabe himself right down to the Chiefs in ZANU-PF is only as strong as the people who defend it. Allowing a probe into corrupt Ministers endangers the whole chain. So of course Speaker has to play his role not only to protect his co- thieves but also his own interests.
Even if the probe is carried out and names mentioned the charges will be blocked elsewhere by the judges who also must see to it it that this chain remains strong. The ZRP bosses too will not investigate either thus protecting the chain.
Unless the whole government goes there is no end to this circus.
The true colours of the SPEAKER are clearly seen now.
Remember him in the Willowgate scandal, him acquiring Scania trucks purporting to use them for refuse collection in Dete, a hardly defined growth point/business centre.
Now, watch him blocking the august house from probing corrupt activities of ministries, preferring the near defunct and toothless ZACC.
Typical African patronage sickness. Conscience does prick the speaker and the honourable thing, according to him, was to block what the tax payer ought to know about his/her contribution.
Jacob Mudenda now joins the long list of Zanu lapdogs history will write of as a corrupt Speaker of Parliament, a filthy stain on a once proud country. What an appalling history will be written in the future of these sucklings on Zanu’s teats. Corruption sits at the heart of Zim’s Parliament. Zanu is corruption. RGM is the father.