By A Correspondent- SHURUGWI South MP Edmond Mkaratigwa (Zanu PF) took over the chairmanship of the Mines Committee from vocal Norton MP Temba Mliswa, at a time when many people were wondering what would happen to one of the most pivotal committees in Parliament.
The Mines committee was reconstituted after Mliswa almost traded blows with Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna (Zanu PF) when the committee was investigating issues around the Hwange Colliery Company corruption saga that nearly brought the giant coal miner to its knees. Mliswa and Nduna were removed from the committee and Mkaratigwa appointed chairperson.
The committee deals with very sensitive issues in the mineral sector which is dogged with corruption, illicit financial flows and smuggling.
Accountability and transparency is needed, including Parliamentary oversight over the mining sector. A competent chairperson with the ability to probe without fear, is critical for such a committee.
Mkaratigwa describes himself as a “hands-on” electrical tech engineer-cum-marketing executive, businessman and politician who is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Energy and Sustainability with the University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom.
“I was born and bred by Zanu PF parents and I grew up from being a party youth to vice-chairperson of Guruguru South youth league. I chose Zanu PF because in my view, it is the only party rooted in a political philosophy that is historically traceable and has a broad ideology; the party has never lost focus on,” he said.
“The party has also embarked on the new trajectory of transforming itself to suit new national characteristics as well as the renewed aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe, and yet on the contrary, a host of other political parties in Zimbabwe lack that foundation, hence I opted for Zanu PF where young leaders are nurtured by fellow experienced, decorous and mature
leaders,” he said.
During the 2018 Zanu PF primary elections, Mkaratigwa competed and won against former Sports deputy minister Tapiwa Matangaidze. He says he easily trounced Matangaidze because he was not a competent MP.
“I can categorically state that I am the MP for Shurugwi South, particularly because of what my predecessor did not do right. He succumbed to the temptations that often lead one to lose touch with the constituency when engrossed in power,” he said.
“Once one loses that touch with the grassroots, it also raises questions regarding whose new interests you will now be representing, if not only personal, thereby defeating the whole purpose of the foundational concept of parliamentarism and parliamentary democracy, upon which our existence as MPs rests.”
“In short, he did not move with the winds of change, again like the Biblical Lot’s wife, remained stuck in old Zanu PF utopia, and fell into disfavour of the adaptively transforming Zanu PF party, philosophy and electorate at the dawn of the new dispensation (President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s era).”-Newsday