What transpired yesterday during the impeachment of Mugabe proceedings – full debate

Former President Robert Mugabe refused to voluntarily step down until the last minute forcing Parliament to seek to impeach him. Here is what happened yesterday before Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda suspended the debate on impeachment after he had received and read Mugabe’s letter of resignation.

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

JOINT SITTING OF THE SENATE AND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HELD AT THE HARARE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE

Tuesday, 21st November, 2017

The National Assembly and Senate met at Half-past Four O’clock p.m.

PRAYERS

(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)

MOTION

REMOVAL OF PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE

HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA: I move the motion standing in my name:

THAT WHEREAS Section 97 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20)   provides that the Senate and the National Assembly, by a joint resolution may resolve that the question whether or not the President should be removed from office for:

          a) serious misconduct;

          b) failure to obey, uphold or defend this Constitution;

          c) wilful violation of this Constitution; or

          d) inability to perform the functions of the Office because of physical or mental incapacity;

          should be investigated in terms of the said section.

          AND WHEREAS Section 97(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that upon passing of a resolution in terms of Section 97(2), the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders must appoint a joint Committee of the Senate and the National Assembly consisting of nine Members reflecting the political composition of Parliament, to investigate the removal from office of the President.

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