ZimCitizen- Everyday news for everyday citizens!Parliament Orders Expelled MPs told to return cars

Kuwadzana East MP Chalton Hwende (second left) being sworn into Parliament. (Picture by Brighton Chihwayi – Photo Phactory Zimbabwe)

Parliament has demanded that all the 22 expelled legislators return the vehicles they got under its car loan scheme or face legal action.

In an interview, Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda said that legislators who wish to keep the vehicles will have to pay off the difference.

The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has expelled a total of 21 Members of Parliament from both Houses who contested the 2018 general elections under Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance, while Zanu PF recalled one legislator.

Mr Chokuda said Parliament had since written to the affected legislators informing them about their position.

“Members who have been recalled from Parliament have an option to fully pay for their vehicles or surrender them to Parliament. If they surrender them they will have to pay any differences between the valuation of the vehicle.

Khupe used a controversial Supreme Court ruling issued in March to expel legislators who refused to switch their allegiance from the MDC Alliance.

“As required by the law we have already written to affected MPs to make a decision on the matter. We are simply guided by the law on this,” said Mr Chokuda.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda made the announcement in the Chamber, while Senate President Mabel Chinomona did the same in the upper house.

The ruling ZANU PF recalled Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu following his expulsion from the party, while at least 21 from both the National Assembly and Senate were ejected by the MDC-T.

This was after MDC-T secretary-general, Mr Douglas Mwonzora wrote to presiding officers of Parliament in terms of the Constitution.