The Senator for Mashonaland Central Province Alice Chimbudzi (ZANU PF) is of the view that Members of Parliament should get tea and soft drinks when they visit resident ministers.
Speaking during a question and answer session in the Senate last Thursday, Chimbudzi enquired about the government position with regards to the provision of tea and soft drinks to visiting legislators. Chimbudzi said:
My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government. What is the policy with regards to the maintenance of offices of Government Ministers so that visitors such as Members of Parliament and others can have teas and soft drinks when they visit resident Ministers?
But in her response, the Deputy Minister of Local Government Marian Chombo, said resident ministers fall under the Office of the President. She said:
When you talked about biscuits, we thought of eating. The office of the resident Ministers or Ministers of Provincial Affairs do not fall under Local Government but under the Office of the President.
That is where their budget lies.
Legislators in Zimbabwe have of late come under fire for making unreasonable demands.