‘MPs ignorant of their roles & constituency needs’-Professor Lovemore Madhuku

MPs have a minimal understanding of their roles and the needs of their constituents, a problem which contributes towards lack of development in the country, a leading academic and politician has said.

University of Zimbabwe law lecturer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, said this during a breakfast meeting Wednesday organised by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights in Harare.

Addressing parliamentarians, Madhuku said, “Most of the MPs think they represent their parties and forget they are voted for by the public, some of whom might not even have a party.”

Madhuku emphasised the need for legislators to adopt a non-partisan approach in their day-to-day activities. He said MPs could only succeed by developing a proper mindset which allows them to fully understand their roles.

He urged the legislators to work hard and produce reports making useful information available to members of the public.

“Information on thematic committees should be widely available to the people you represent,” Madhuku told the MPs.

“Ministers should be answerable to what they do or say.

“Access to media is very important to parliamentarians as this will force the executive to work even harder once they are exposed by the media.

“Change the entire fabric of society by making politics public and knowing the role of a public broadcaster.”

The NCA party leader said the MPs should be knowledgeable on human rights issues.

He gave the example of the recent demonstrations by inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, saying the prisoners’ rights were taken away leaving them with no one to represent them.

Also raised at the same meeting was the issue of MPs who shun their constituencies only to re-appear during election period. source-newzimbabwe

photo-Lovemore Madhuku-financialgazette.