Speaker says no one should use Mugabe’s name to influence deliberations in Parliament

THE HON. SPEAKER’S RULING

HON. P. D. SIBANDA’S POINT OF ORDER ON WHETHER PARLIAMENT HAS OVERSIGHT ROLE OVER THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF STANDING ORDER NUMBER 93 (1) (b)

THE HON. SPEAKER: On the 10th February, 2016, Hon. P. D. Sibanda rose on a point of order in terms of Standing Order Number 69 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, seeking guidance on whether Parliament has oversight over the Office of the President and further, whether reference to the use of the name of the President in the House goes against protecting the integrity and the name of the Office of the President.

Oversight of the Office of the President

Parliament exercises oversight on the Executive in line with the provision of the Constitution and its Standing Rules and Orders. Section 119 (2) and (3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that –

“(2) Parliament has power to ensure that the provisions of this Constitution are upheld and that the State and all its institutions and agencies of Government at every level act constitutionally and in the national interest”.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), all institutions and agencies of State and Government at every level are accountable to Parliament”. Section 299 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe further amplifies the oversight role of Parliament over all institutions and agencies of the State in respect of State revenues and expenditures.

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