A parliamentary storm is brewing in Zimbabwe as ministers are accused of prioritizing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s events over their legislative duties, sparking calls for the President to be summoned to Parliament to answer questions.
Opposition lawmakers, including the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda himself, have accused the ministers of sabotaging Parliament by prioritising the President’s events over their legislative duties.
According to reports, 16 Cabinet ministers and 15 deputy ministers were absent from Wednesday’s parliamentary session, with some claiming to be attending to national assignments outside the country.
Mudenda described the situation as “very unusual”.
“I have received a very unusual list of apologies, in terms of the numbers, from the Executive. I am informed some ministers are outside the country, including the Leader of Government Business.
“Others are on national duty in Victoria Falls and elsewhere but there is no excuse for deputies not to be here totally, there is no excuse,” he stated.
Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa, however, pointed out that the same ministers are always present when the President hosts events, such as the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The opposition has called for the President to be summoned to Parliament to answer questions, citing a provision in the Constitution that allows for such an interface.
“So, to that extent Mr. Speaker, I want to stand on a point of Order 177 (4) as read with our Constitution, Section 140 (3) which states that there may be a question time for the President in accordance with Section 140 (1) of the Constitution,” Mushoriwa stated.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, it is our request that the Speaker makes arrangements for the Head of State and President of Zimbabwe to come before this august House so that this august House and Hon. Members in this august House could actually pose questions to the President. We have reached this stage
“Mr. Speaker Sir, having noted the deliquesce on the part of some of the Hon. Ministers who have not come to this House to answer questions from Hon. Members or Parliament representing the citizens of this country.
“Hon. Speaker Sir, we humbly request that in accordance with the said Standing Orders and also the relevant sections of our Constitution, that the President comes to this august House so that we Hon. Members of Parliament will be in a position to pose questions to him.”
Mudenda has promised to investigate the matter and deal with ministers who are consistently absent without valid reasons.
The Speaker has undertaken to discuss the matter with the President and ensure that ministers prioritise their parliamentary duties.
“Meanwhile, I will have some conversation with His Excellency tomorrow and give him the list and the concern accordingly so that perhaps in future, when there is question time, we do not have to have some clashes.
“I recall one time when there was a clash and some Hon. Ministers were flocking there to be with the President, His Excellency said other Hon. Ministers who had nothing to do with the programme must go back to Parliament. That was done.
“So, there is also a habit of flocking for these national events when in fact it has nothing to do with the Ministry concerned,” he said.
