PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE NOW A CRIME SCENE AS MPS TAKE BRIBES TO SAVE MNANGAGWA

The Parliament of Zimbabwe is now being described by many as a crime scene—an institution no longer serving the public but shielding President Emmerson Mnangagwa in exchange for personal gain. At the heart of the controversy is a growing scandal involving Members of Parliament (MPs) allegedly receiving land in return for their loyalty to Mnangagwa, amid rising whispers of a potential impeachment.

Impeachment refers to the process of removing a sitting president from office for misconduct or failure in leadership. According to reports, some MPs recently gathered in Mabelreign, Harare, where they were handed residential land stands—believed to be bribes—to ensure their support for Mnangagwa and to stop any impeachment efforts before they could gain momentum.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has confirmed the distribution of land. Seventy residential stands were allocated just two days ago—15 in Killarney, Goromonzi; another 15 in Penrose, Zvimba; and 40 in Mabelreign, Harare. While the Ministry insists that this is part of a long-standing housing support programme for MPs—first introduced in 2013—the timing has raised serious concerns.

Government officials argue that the land handouts are non-monetary benefits meant to help MPs secure accommodation, similar to schemes offered to war veterans, civil servants, women, and youth. The Ministry claims MPs from the 8th, 9th, and current 10th Parliaments have all benefited from these allocations, listing other regions such as Goromonzi (188 stands), Bulawayo (49), Chiredzi (12), Kadoma (9), and Beitbridge (5) as part of this “programme.”

But this explanation has done little to calm public outrage. The timing of these land allocations—coinciding with increasing chatter around Mnangagwa’s impeachment—has raised red flags. Many Zimbabweans believe the land handouts are not standard benefits, but strategic bribes to secure political survival for a deeply unpopular president.

Job Sikhala, through the National Democratic Working Group, has strongly condemned the scandal, branding Parliament a “crime scene.” He argues that MPs have abandoned their constitutional role as representatives of the people and are now acting as gatekeepers of Mnangagwa’s presidency. Instead of holding the executive accountable, they are defending it—for a price.

Ordinary Zimbabweans, meanwhile, continue to suffer. Most citizens cannot afford land, let alone housing. In a nation plagued by high unemployment, inflation, and economic hardship, it is infuriating for the public to watch well-paid MPs receiving land for free while they struggle to survive. These MPs already enjoy generous salaries and perks, yet now they are reaping even more rewards for simply protecting power.

The scandal has further eroded public trust in Parliament, which is increasingly seen as an elite club of opportunists rather than a forum for people’s voices. Instead of standing with their constituents, MPs appear to be standing with the president, motivated not by principle but by personal gain.

As the country watches closely, a pivotal question remains unanswered: Will MPs stand up for the people who elected them, or will they sell their conscience for a parcel of land?

This issue is far bigger than just a housing scheme. It’s about integrity, democracy, and the future of Zimbabwe. The blatant corruption, the transactional politics, and the betrayal of public trust all point to a Parliament that no longer functions as a pillar of democracy—but as a marketplace of political loyalty, where national interest is bartered for personal benefit.

Parliament was meant to be a sacred place for accountability and public service. Today, it stands accused of deals, deceit, and disgrace.