CommuTalk Reporter
GWERU – Midlands based opposition MPs recently hit hard on the ruling party highlighting that they are abusing power through continued incarceration of opposition leaders while at the same time misleading the general populace through selective publicity through state media.
Speaking during the Residents and Rights Holders and Duty Bearers Interface Meeting hosted by the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) at the Gweru Memorial Library, Chiwundura Legislator Levison Chimina and Gweru Central legislator Brian Dube highlighted the major challenges the opposition has faced from the state saying they are later implicated to Zimbabweans at large.
“The ruling party is using institutional powers derived from controlling the state to punish the opposition though the biggest losers at the end of the day are the ordinary citizens.
“It is sad moreover that the ruling party would rather recognize a shadow member of parliament than the incumbent one just to send a political statement though all this is not necessary. Focus should be on development than political fights,” Chimina said.
Explaining a parliamentarians’ duty to communicate effectively and seek influence in ways that respond to the needs of one’s constituency, Gweru Urban MP Brian Dube said the locals are however blocked from following debates of great importance through selected airing of parliamentary debates.
“It should be known that Wednesday is the day parliamentary debates are screened live on television but it’s not the day that issues of great importance such as policy and law making decisions are done. These are actually done on Monday and Thursdays,” said Dube.
It is to this extend that Dube says locals do not even know how to measure performance of their representatives as well as follow up on issues they want addressed.
Meanwhile, GRRA Executive Director, Cornilia Selipiwe encouraged residents to try and get as much information from the members of parliament and to attend meetings to help and contribute towards the development of the city.
Also in attendance were local councilors, Danny Ndava for Ward 14, Tawanda Magidi Ward 16, Farai Muza Ward 17 and Gideon Mugariri Ward 7.
