HARARE - Former Cabinet ministers and legislators who served during the inclusive government era are set to receive pensions, benefits and retrenchment packages.
Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said this on Thursday during the 2014 budget presentation.
Pointing to the opposition benches in the National Assembly, Chinamasa said he was aware that the former Cabinet ministers and lawmakers have fallen on hard times. He said some had appealed to him personally to bail them out.
“I know we have arrears for MPs in allowances and some of them have hit hard times now that they are no longer in government,” Chinamasa said.
“Mr Speaker Sir, Members of Parliament from the last Parliament, including ministers who served during the inclusive government, have outstanding payment of allowances due to them.
“Treasury acknowledges this indebtedness, and will endeavour to honour the payment commitment towards members of Parliament allowances,” Chinamasa said to thunderous applause from legislators.
During an induction workshop for MPs held in August, James Makore, MDC Senator for Chitungwiza, said he was worried with the standard of living for the former Cabinet ministers and legislators.
“We are the worst in terms of remuneration, in Africa,” he said.
“There are many former MPs who did not come back into Parliament after elections and are now living as destitutes. We are asking if the Parliament can provide a pension for us to cushion us against being the laughing stock of society after the end of our parliamentary term. Makore did not reveal the names of the MPs who have hit hard times.
He was supported by Zanu PF MP Irene Zindi who also demanded to know the amount of pension they were entitled to as legislators.
Ward Nezi, former MP for Murewa West, who was the parliamentary welfare chairperson, told the Daily News that he is regularly inundated with calls from his counterparts, who are keen on cashing in from the government.