National Assembly Debate Finance Bill for 2026 National Budget

Описание: HON. TOGAREPI: With all due respect, let me tell you that we have already raised 20 million for coupons that are going to be paid maybe today. We have already raised 20 million for coupons, which is going to be paid today. We have also raised 25 million, which is going to be paid for Hon. Members' allowances. Yesterday, we were informed by the Minister that by the end of next week, all the CDF would have been paid. What else will we be discussing in that joint caucus?

My worry Mr. Speaker, is when senior Hon. Members of this House say we need to meet before we debate the Budget. I think we bring very negative optics out there that Members of Parliament want to discuss their issues before issues of national interest. It is not correct. We have our needs and our rights. We can still claim our rights without holding the people of Zimbabwe at ransom.

THE HON. SPEAKER: I had not ruled on the request by Hon. Hwende. I was seeking some clarification and in the process, I have been advised by the Clerk of Parliament that the outstanding financial issues, will begin to be disbursed today and tomorrow. So, if you meet him on Wednesday under a joint caucus and you have seen that your outstanding financial issues have been resolved, it would be good public relations to say thank you, it has happened. There is no harm in that. I also appeal that in the future, some of the requirements by Hon. Members be attended to timeously. What you want to establish is cordial relationships between Parliament and the Executive. That is all we need.

The Government Chief Whip is correct. If you accent too much on your personal interests, do not forget that you are not full-time employees of Parliament. You are part-time employees. So, you have to understand in that regard. Having said that, even if you are part-time, you have certain perks that are due to you, like sitting allowances, for example, which must be paid timeously and your outstanding coupons must be disbursed timeously. These are real issues. It has nothing to do with demand for that which you are not entitled to but at the same time, we should not send a message out there to the public that our main interest is our personal interest.