Will Mudenda keep his promise to deal with Zimbabwe’s errant government ministers?

Today is question time Parliament. Legislators will be watching how many ministers turn up as this will prove whether Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has teeth or not because legislators have been complaining for more than a year that ministers are defying Parliament which is the third arm of government together with the executive and the judiciary.

Mudenda had promised to deal with the ministers.

Q &A

HON. GONESE:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker, in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 63 (1), Ministers are obliged and required to attend Parliament.  That is also in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order Number 107.

My point of order is that we have previously indicated that in terms of that Standing Order, Ministers must request leave of absence in writing to the Speaker and we have agreed in this House that the Speaker should make an announcement to this august House to inform us of those Ministers who have applied for such leave and which leave has been granted.  If we just proceed without that, we do not know which Ministers are playing truant.

We have Ministers who have persistently been in flagrant violation of those Standing Orders.  I believe that you had also assured us that going forward, each time you would inform us of the Ministers who would have applied to you in writing because the provisions in that Standing Order are very clear.  They must seek leave of absence in writing.  There are some Ministers who are not here and we need to know those who have complied with the provisions of Standing Orders so that those who have not, can be charged with Contempt of Parliament as provided for in that Standing Order –[HON. MEMBERS:  Hear, hear.]-

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Thank you.  I am aware of Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mbengegwi and the Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon. Dr. Parirenyatwa.  I have not received any other notice of leave of absence.

HON. MUTSEYAMI:  Mr. Speaker, I request for a point of clarity.  You have pointed out Ministers who have requested for leave of absence.  Now that we have the rest of Ministers including Hon. Ministers Chombo, Kasukuwere, Mupfumira and many others and their Deputy Ministers absent; Cabinet comprises of more than 36 Ministers.  If Deputy Ministers are included, they are about 69.  Check your record.

Through you Mr. Speaker, what is the position now with regards to the Ministers who are absent without leave?  Basically, I am looking at the aspect of charging them for Contempt of Parliament bearing in mind that they have been absent for a very long time.

 THE HON. SPEAKER:  Thank you.  Order, order. Sorry, I need to include Hon. Mupfumira who sought leave of absence.  She has got a function at ZIPAM in Darwendale. The Clerks will make the appropriate roll call and we will deal with the absent Ministers during this Session.

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