Zimbabwe's Finest

'We feel betrayed by Mahere, Markham, James and Molokele: CCC voters' @NewsDayZimbabwe, 7 February 2024 Today’s @NewsDayZimbabwe reports that 'CCC voters' say they feel abandoned and betrayed by MPs whom they voted for in August 2023 harmonised general election, only for the MPs to abruptly resign from Parliament within four months of their election, in alleged solidarity with Nelson Chamisa who suddenly ditched his CCC in a huff last month. Former MPs Fadzayi Mahere [Mt Pleasant constituency], Allan “Rusty” Markham [Harare East constituency), Brian James [Mutare Central constituency] and Daniel Molokele [Hwange Central constituency have resigned from Parliament ostensibly to follow Chamisa after he quit his CCC. But the claims by these MPs that they resigned in solidarity with Chamisa as a matter of principle after their Chamisa-led CCC was allegedly contaminated and infiltrated by ZanuPF, and that – as alleged by Markham – after realising that the legislature is just “a rubber stamp Parliament with no oversight”, have not impressed CCC voters. According to @NewsDayZimbabwe, here is a sample of what the voters the newspaper spoke to reportedly said: “It’s a slap in the face,” fumed Tapiwa Mativenga, a Mt Pleasant resident. “We put our faith in Mahere, expecting her to fight for our community’s issues. Now, just months in, she jumps ship without a word. What about the promises she made?” Similar sentiments echoed across Harare East, where Markham’s resignation left a void. “We elected Markham for his vision and commitment to improving our constituency,” said Tendai Makonese. “But now, he’s gone, leaving us with no voice in Parliament. Did he even consider how this impacts our lives?” Other voters accused the former lawmakers of operating in secrecy. “They talk about transparency and accountability, but this whole thing is shrouded in secrecy,” Tanaka Nyasha, a youth activist in Harare East, said. “If they can’t be upfront with their voters, how can we trust them to represent us effectively?” It is becoming increasingly clear that the kneejerk resignations by Chamisa and a handful MPs who followed him in apparent expression of blind loyalty disguised as “principled” stances are badly boomeranging; with far reaching implications, yet to manifest! newsday.co.zw/local-news/art…

🟣Wishing NIGERIA’s @NG_Super_Eagles all the best in today’s #AFCON semi-final. We are rooting for you! Afrobeats > Amapiano. #FlySuperEagles 🇳🇬

Just in case anyone questions my assertion that I get paid US$25 per month for the privilege of being Mayor here is my allowance slip for January. I omitted to mention that I am actually paid this in Z$ at the official rate - so last month my total allowance/remuneration was Z$ 138,575.40 . For those from outside of #Zimbabwe in case you are impressed the official interbank today is US$1:Z$10082 so the Z$ 138,575 now equates to US $ 13.74! To be clear I am not complaining because I knew what I was getting into before being elected. But just don’t let it be said that I am in it for the money!