Terrence Mawawa|The founder and President of the Combined Restitution Association of b Zimbabwe Youths Elvis Mugari, who is a member of Friends of SMM (FOSMM), has said Temba Mliswa, a person he has worked with in YARD, has lost his confidence as a legislator of integrity and principles.
An issue arose on the FOSMM platform as to whether the Reconstruction Act that was used in respect of the affairs of SMM, AirZim, and more recently on Hwange Colliery Company Limited is “ultra vires” the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Mliswa is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and he allegedly said: “While the Reconstruction Act is a good piece of legislation Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, the timing and implementation is what is put to question,” in relation to Hwange.
It is the statement that the Reconstruction Act is a good piece of legislation that sparked debate on the FOSMM What’s App Group resulting in Mliswa unceremoniously vacating the group.
“Imagine I tried to engage Hon Mliswa immediately after he left the group but alas he blocked me. It is clear that he chickened out of the group as he was sufficiently exposed. I genuinely believe that with what I now know about Hon Mliswa, he poses a real danger to our quest to restore Zimbabwe to constitutionalis.
He is clearly conflicted. I cannot understand why he would say that a law that allows a Minister of Justice to substitute the judiciary by issuing orders whose effect if to undermine the freedoms and rights of a company’s stakeholders is a good law. This is incredible,” said Mr. Mugari.
He further said: “Until now, I used to respect Hon Mliswa and his efforts to expose corruption but I cannot remain silent in the face of facts supporting a view that he is no different from others MPs.”
In response to a question by Stanley Dube, the host of the Drive Time show on the www.the1873fm.com radio platform, Mr Mugari said: “I do not believe that there is any single MP in the Parliament of Zimbabwe who truly understands his proper role in a democratic society. Imagine I tried to engage a representative of the people in Parliament, and he chose to block me instead of welcoming my contribution. It will take time to have a parliament that we deserve and this is a real tragedy for the country. I consider myself captured psychologically in that for far too long, I have been expecting miracles from our legislators to be able to protect my rights and freedoms.”
It is the case that MPs have responsibilities to three main groups: their constituents, Parliament and their political party. One MP is elected to parliament by each of the constituencies but in terms of the Zimbabwean constitution others are brought in through a proportional representation system and others by the President.
Their duties in Parliament include but not limited to participating in debates and voting on legislation and other matters. They may also be members of committees examining new laws or the
work of government departments.
MPs can help their constituents by advising on problems (particularly those that arise from the work
of government departments), representing the concerns of their constituents in Parliament and play the figurehead in their respective areas.