By Flata Kavinga
A Kwekwe Human rights defender Emmanuel Nkosilathi Moyo has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, calling for an ethics investigation into gifts and benefits allegedly received by Members of Parliament from businessman Wicknell Chivhayo.
In the petition dated June 17, 2026, Moyo urged Parliament to conduct a “full and independent” investigation into the acceptance of the gifts, arguing that such benefits could raise concerns around transparency, accountability and public confidence in the institution.
Moyo said Parliament was expected to uphold high standards of integrity and avoid situations that could create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
“Public confidence in Parliament depends on Members conducting themselves in a manner that avoids actual or perceived conflicts of interest,” Moyo said in the petition.
He further requested Parliament to require legislators to publicly declare any gifts, donations, benefits or material assistance received from private individuals or entities.
Moyo also called on Parliament to determine whether the acceptance of such gifts created actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, particularly in relation to MPs’ participation in parliamentary duties and voting processes.
He asked Parliament to consider measures including the recusal of affected legislators from votes where a conflict of interest may reasonably arise, pending the outcome of any investigation.
He also called for strengthening of Parliament’s Code of Conduct and Ethics framework to enhance transparency and accountability regarding gifts received by public office holders.
The petition was submitted on behalf of what Moyo described as concerned citizens of Zimbabwe.
The allegations contained in the petition have not been independently verified, and the businessman and affected Members of Parliament were not immediately available for comment.
