(HERALD) African MPs call for declaration of assets

African MPs call for declaration of assets
Herald Reporter

THE Zimbabwean chapter of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption has called on authorities to set up mechanisms for legislators and senior Government officials to declare their assets to improve transparency.

Addressing journalists at Parliament Building in Harare yesterday, APNAC Zimbabwe Chapter chairperson Mr Willas Madzimure also blasted councillors who are after self-enrichment instead of serving ratepayers.

"We are also urging the Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Senate to ensure that in line with the Standing Rule No.19, MPs are required to declare their assets.

"Declaration of assets should also include the Executive and senior Government officials and should be followed up with a verification process of the declarations. The public deserve to be protected from politicians who become rich overnight by abusing their offices and public funds."

He took a swipe at MDC-T councillors in Harare who have been accused of evicting disadvantaged residents from council houses.

"We therefore wish to express our apprehension and displeasure at media reports citing alleged corruption in our local authorities. It is indeed saddening that at a time like this when people we represent are struggling to make ends meet, there are some men and women who are unjustly enriching themselves through the offices which they were elected or appointed into," Mr Madzimure said.

APNAC Zimbabwe Chapter is a voluntary non-partisan organisation made up of 65 MPs from all the parties in Parliament.