Seasoned legislator Thokozani Khupe has called for Proportional Representation (PR) MPs to receive Constituency Development Funds (CDF), a benefit currently reserved for directly elected legislators.
Who Are PR MPs?
Zimbabwe’s National Assembly includes 60 PR legislators elected under the women’s quota. Despite enjoying similar benefits to their constituency-based counterparts, these MPs do not receive CDF.
What is the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)?
The CDF is a financial allocation provided to 210 directly elected MPs to develop their constituencies. However, PR MPs are currently excluded as the fund is constituency-specific.
Khupe’s Argument:
During the 2025 National Budget debate, Khupe highlighted the potential of extending CDF to PR MPs to enhance community development.
‘’During the budget debate, I raised the issue of CDF so that it be extended to proportional representation MPs so that we have that money and we will be able to complement constituency MPs because it is not money which is being put to waste.
‘’It is money which is going to develop our districts and we are going to be able to achieve so many sustainable development goals (SDGs). I am saying this so that the Minister puts it at the back of his mind. I thank you,’’ she said.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s Response:
Minister Ncube acknowledged the need for further discussion on the matter.
“This is tricky, Honourable Dr. Khupe. Let’s consider it further through Chief Whips and the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO). We won’t dismiss it – let’s see where the conversation leads.”
Khupe wants Proportional Representation MPs to be given CDF
