20 the MP. The MPs themselves perpetuate this confusion so that they can pursue their own interests at the expense of the community. The youth stated that where they have had the courage to invite the MPs to meetings, they either do not show up at meetings, or they steer the meeting to suit their own agenda without consulting the constituency. The youth have thus become disillusioned with their decision makers and have decided not to participate at all. The youth see Parliament as a battle ground for the two political parties; they do not argue issues according to reason but according to partisan interest - points are only good when a fellow party member says them. This is what the MPs portray, and, since they fail to deal with the real issues at hand, party politics are regarded more than the people. Another important issue was information. As indicated from the survey, 82% feel that there is no reasonable access to information. The only information people have about what is going on in parliament is through the newspapers. This information is usually in English and, since not all people are literate, there is no way to verify it. Furthermore, with the economy as it is, only a limited number of people can afford to buy the paper, and those that do read it are sceptical. Information was said to be a crucial tool for control over decision makers: if MPs are not taking the people’s issues to parliament and not coming backing with responses what then is the point of having an MP? “What purposes are they serving? Do the communities really need them?” The youth felt that the country is basically run through fear; everyone is afraid to lose the little bit that they have and the Executive is capitalising on this. There is fear among parliamentarians that if they fail to toe the party line and act on the wishes of their constituents, they will not be given the opportunity to run for another election and they will lose their meal ticket. This, they felt, shows the levels of selfishness and corruption within the decision makers. The people are afraid to question the legislature, who in turn should be putting these questions to the Executive. There were a number of other reasons why the youth feel they are not in control; · Cannot question Ministers because the President appoints them, therefore if they fail to perform their duties adequately nothing can be done unless that particular person has fallen out of favour with the President. · Legislature and executive are not responsible to the people. · The executive is appointed not elected. The Executive can also be reshuffled at any time without having executed their duties. The Executive represents the government not the people. In appointments no qualifications are looked at for example case of the military figure being appointed to a civilian job. · The legislature is not responsive. They are told what to do by the Executive not by the people. PROTECTING CITIZENS’ EQUALITY AND THEIR ABILITY TO CONTROL DECISION MAKERS This tested beliefs about rights and the ability of citizens to use the law in order to ensure accountability and control of elected leaders. According to these results, the youth believe that there is little protection of citizens’ equality and they have little control over decision makers. · · · · 66% say there is inadequate protection of civil and political rights as opposed to 14% who say it is fine. 66% versus 9% believe there is inadequate freedom of expression and political participation 72% versus 5% say political party activities are not free. 64% versus 13% say that media rights are inadequate IDASA: Zimbabwe at the Cross-Roads: Views of Zimbabwean citizens on democracy and transitional justice.