MPs Cry Out - We are being blackmailed

Concerns have been expressed about the crude manner some constituents adopt to demand money from their representatives in Parliament.

Some are even said to indulge in blackmail. ?You go to them and the approach is sort of a blackmail. If you can?t meet their demands, they tell you the thumb is there, they will definitely not vote for you next time round?.

Hon. Mrs. Edith Haizel, (NDC, Evalue ? Gwira) expressed these sentiments in an interview with the "daily dispatch" last week in Parliament.

According to her, apart from demands for development projects, MPs are erroneously expected to take care of hospital bills, school fees among others from their salaries.

This Father Christmas mentality about MPs must change, she emphasised.

Following public interest generated by a statement made by an MP that their meagre salaries are partly responsible for their absenteeism in Parliament, it decided to probe further about welfare conditions of MPs with specific reference to accommodation and cars.

Hon. Mrs. Haizel regretted that although both a Minister of State and an MP have equally challenged schedules and responsibilities, the trappings of a minister?s office make that of an MP almost insignificant.

Minister?s have security and enjoy free fuel but the MP does not, she observed.