Madzivanyika a cutting edge MP confronting real issues affecting the majority
Here is a rich catalogue of issues he has raised with ministers in parliament
By Norman Mwale [The PenPusher]
Mbizo legislator Corban Madzivanyika continues to champion vibrant discourse around the concerns of the majority, thereby becoming one of the most hardworking representatives of the people in the current Zimbabwe parliament.
At a time when Zimbabwe’s opposition has come under fire for losing energy and failing to take on the ruling party on critical matters affecting the majority, Madzivanyika has been a standout actor in and outside parliament on many occasions.
Most recently, Madzivanyika moved a motion in parliament urging Zimbabwean authorities to implement a comprehensive sign language policy across all public healthcare facilities in what aims to improve healthcare services and accessibility within this vulnerable group of citizens.
The MP cited continued communication barriers faced by deaf patients in accessing crucial services within the country’s health delivery system which has always been flagged before for being far from disability friendly.
Madzivanyika said the deaf community in Zimbabwe faced “profound and persistent challenges in accessing healthcare services due to the absence of sign language interpreters”.
He also highlighted the risk of misdiagnosis, mistrust, and substandard healthcare outcomes if the situation remains the same.
The legislator urged the government to embed comprehensive sign language training within the core curriculum of medical and healthcare training programmes.
In another of his contributions to debate in parliament, Madzivanyika also lashed out at proponents of the unpopular Constitutional Amendment Bill No, 3, which proposes extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, thereby prolonging President Mnangagwa’s tenure until 2030.
The opposition MP condemned this as a brazen attempt to undermine democracy and entrench authoritarian rule in Zimbabwe.
Madzivanyika said opposition to this proposed amendment was widespread, citing the Zimbabwe’s broader opposition, war veterans, and civil society organisations as united in their rejection of the proposed changes.
He called on Zimbabwean authorities to redirect their energies and state resources towards satisfying the needs of the majority as opposed to introducing policies tailored to bring about their political survival.
The MP also raised concerns about the valuation of Mutapa Investment Fund’s assets, questioning discrepancies in reported values and seeking clarification from Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube whose portfolio oversees the controversial scheme.
Madzivanyika also raised concern over the dire circumstances faced by civil servants issues with civil servants’ salaries, healthcare, and maternal healthcare.
He blasted the Zanu PF led authority for paying civil servants low wages which are less than the poverty datum line, which is pegged at US$300.
Madzivanyika also expressed concerns about the 2026 National Budget, labeling it “unresponsive” and “out of touch” with the needs of ordinary Zimbabweans.
He criticized the increase on VAT and argued that exemptions tend to benefit only a small segment of society.
Furthermore, he questioned the government’s handling of CDF funds, urging transparency in disbursement and highlighting the need for accurate data on persons with disabilities, particularly those relying on sign language.
He also raised questions about maternal healthcare, asking the health minister about plans to improve services, especially for local clinics.
Madzivanyika has also raised concerns about the Exchange Control Act and money laundering, questioning the withdrawal of large sums of money beyond the USD10 000 limit.
He cited instances where banks had been requested to release large sums, asking, “What is happening in that case, that is where we are coming from.”
Madzivanyika emphasized that holding cash is not an offence, but withdrawing large sums becomes one, and expressed concern that banks were giving out large sums to individuals.
The MP has also taken the minister of Home Affairs to task for failure to investigate controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s source of wealth.
