MDC MPs to Lose Government Allowance

Emerson Mnangagwa’s government is to withdraw the five-month allowance owed to members of the opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

The decision, taken by National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda, was aimed to punish those parliamentarians that staged a walk-out during President Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address on Tuesday.

Mr. Mudenda told Parliament that all MDC MPs would not receive any allowances for the previous five months.  He said he would “instruct the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube to withdraw their pay-sheet; no payment for debates of the outstanding balances and for today’s sitting”.

MDC National Chair Thabitha Khumalo and the Party Secretary General Charles Hwende made it clear that the party was prepared to fight the ruling.

In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com they underscored the fact that their loyalty is not to Mnangagwa or his ruling Zanu-PF, but rather to the people of Zimbabwe.

Hwende further explained that Speaker Mudenda ‘has no right to take away right and benefits enshrined in our Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders and Rules”.

The MDC has long been fighting the government in court.  Party leader Nelson Chamisa tried to have the results of the general election overturned last year, although the Constitutional Court declined to do so owing to a “lack of evidence”.