Chalton Hwende Sparks Uproar As He Defends Demand For US$150 000 Loan For MPs, Insists Others Have Been Benefiting

Hwende Defends US$150,000 Loans For MPs, Sparks Online Storm

Zimbabwean opposition legislator Chalton Hwende has sparked a storm of outrage after defending calls for Members of Parliament (MPs) to receive US$150,000 (approx. R2.7 million) housing loans each. Hwende, the Kuwadzana MP, argued that both opposition and ruling party lawmakers have long benefited from similar perks — comments that have set social media ablaze.

“Everyone Has Been Getting Perks Since 2000”

Hwende made the controversial claim on 9 November 2025, writing on his X account:

“The uncomfortable truth is that everyone who has been an MP since 2000 for the opposition and ruling party has received cars, stands, loans, medical aid, salaries, bonuses, and some even got cars from Gono outside Parliament but they are your favourites — you will pretend like you don’t know.”

He insisted the proposal for the massive housing loans was a collective decision.

“My position was a collective position. I don’t need the salary myself or the loan, but we work as a team. That’s why I am happy to take the insults on behalf of 360 MPs because at the end of the day it’s the collective that matters,” said Hwende.

When challenged by a critic who accused him of greed, Hwende fired back:

“I have been MP for two terms. Why should I want to be MP again and earn US$268 (approx. R4,800) when I have a kid in university in Australia? Think man.”

David Coltart Disputes Hwende’s Claims

Veteran politician David Coltart quickly dismissed Hwende’s assertions, saying they were “not correct.”

In a detailed post on 10 November 2025, Coltart wrote:

“Those who were elected in 2000, 2005, and 2008 were able to buy a car (free of duty) for each term of office and were paid a menial salary and received basic medical aid. I certainly never received a stand or any other type of loan and as far as I can recall no one else did.”

Coltart added that even as a Cabinet Minister between 2009 and 2013, his pay was modest:

“My first paycheck as a Cabinet Minister was US$100 (approx. R1,800) in February 2009, which grew to US$3,500 (approx. R63,000) by the time I left office. I never received housing loans or any other perks.”

Hwende, however, insisted that MPs of the time still benefited indirectly, claiming:

“This is false. They got a free car from Parliament. I was the constituency coordinator for Kuwadzana in 2000 and personally collected the car for Hon Jongwe.”

Public Fury And Political Backlash

Hwende’s remarks triggered a torrent of criticism from both citizens and fellow politicians.

Popular online personality Havok Live (@HavokZw) slammed him for what he called “an attempt to justify wrongs by citing past wrongs,” writing:

“You want to sanitise a wrong by saying some did get before. Zimbabweans really don’t deserve such opposition members like yourself in Parliament.”

Another user, Street Hustler_Gri7zmann, wrote:

“That justifies US$150k? What about teachers, doctors, councillors, mayors, nurses, police, army and prison officers? You all work for public offices, right?”

Prominent lawyer Fadzayi Mahere also weighed in, warning that politics must remain about public service, not self-gain.

“Being a parliamentarian should be about service. The minute we begin to view it as a career, our priorities become misplaced. It is vital to ensure we always put the concerns, welfare and needs of our constituents above our personal comfort,” said Mahere.

Social media user Mncedisi (@Mncedisi_mengu) accused Hwende of hypocrisy, writing:

“According to your logic, because others before you abused the system, you’re entitled to do the same. Civil servants are struggling to survive and you say nothing.”

Another user, Calvin Majora, added:

“We are questioning why the government should give you those loans when civil servants don’t get the same. We want Parliamentarians to make the country work for everyone.”

Some users even mocked Hwende, referencing his frequent spats online, after he responded to critics with “Pfutseki” (a Shona insult meaning “get lost”).

One user, Collins Mavuto, wrote:

“Your justification is that you should sin because others before you sinned — collective stupidity!”

Another, Mrs. Sondisa (@ThatKalangaGirl), quipped:

“Hwende crying for cars and houses as if when people vote you into Parliament, you become entitled to corporate perks. But continue eating, you know your constituency won’t be voting for you again.”

Defending MPs’ Welfare

Despite the outrage, some voices supported Hwende, arguing that Zimbabwean MPs are among the lowest-paid in the region.

Zándā Tōto (@zandatoto) wrote:

“We actually have some of the lowest-paid MPs in the region. Their ask isn’t unreasonable when compared to colleagues who also serve in the Executive. Politics is a career, and if we want quality MPs, they must be remunerated fairly.”

However, financial analyst Kudzai Mubaiwa (@FinLitBae) countered:

“So long and so wrong. List the regions you deem as paying well and their GDPs, and let’s do the math.”

Hwende’s response to a wave of critical comments was a single, dismissive word in Shona, “Pfutseki,”

With the 2026 national budget on the horizon, the debate over MPs’ pay and benefits shows no sign of dying down. Hwende remains adamant that his proposal is justified — even as the public continues to question Parliament’s priorities.