AN MP IS A LAWMAKER, NOT A PROVIDER – SILAVWE

Lusaka ~ Tuesday, 9 August 2022

By Brightwell Chabusha

Leader of the opposition Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) Jackson Silavwe has argued that the job of a Member of Parliament is to make laws and not be a provider.

Reacting to Mr Joseph Malanji’s assertion that politics is not for paupers or poor people, Mr Silavwe said politics is for the people no matter their station in life.

He said in a statement that politics is not an exclusive club for the rich.

The opposition leader added that amongst the qualifications to contest as MP there is no mention of financial status.

Mr Silavwe further commented that constituencies are governments responsibility financially.

“Every constituency is budgeted for in the National Budget. Constituencies are governments responsibility financially. A member of parliament (MP) helps to channel the funds to priority areas,” he said.

“Any MP who uses his personal finances is simply doing it out of their own volition. It is not a requirement. Ideally an MP is a lawmaker not a provider or charitable organisations. I thought of providing clarity on those two issues.”