All set for Parly opening

Susan Nyabunze Herald Reporter
President Mugabe is expected to open the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament tomorrow, where he will spell out the legislative agenda for the period.

Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, Supreme and High Court judges, diplomats, traditional leaders and captains of industry and commerce are expected to attend the event.

Airforce of Zimbabwe details and Zimbabwe Defence Forces over the weekend carried out rehearsals in preparation for the day. Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma in an interview yesterday said all was in place for the event.

“All preparations are done and everything is in order at Parliament. We are now waiting for the official opening tomorrow,” said Mr Zvoma.

Although the new Constitution removed the requirement for the President to open Parliament, legislators felt it was prudent to invite President Mugabe to set the tone for the session.

During the session, Finance Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa is expected to present the last budget of the year 2014.

The parliamentary portfolio committee on Budget and Finance is expected to hold public hearings on expectations for the 2015 national budget. Issues pertaining to the alignment of existing laws with the Constitution as Bills, among others, are on the session’s agenda.

Government has since announced that it would bring an omnibus Bill that addresses several Acts of Parliament so that they are consistent with the Constitution.