Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Online Reporter
THE Attorney General Mrs Virginia Mabhiza has become the first legal advisor to the Government to attend official Parliamentary processes since 2013 after she attended the ongoing Parliament of Zimbabwe Institutional Strategic Planning workshop that is underway in Victoria Falls.
This was said by Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda as he commended Mrs Mabhiza and invited her to attend Parliament business at the House of National Assembly.
Mrs Mabhiza is one of Government high ranking officials attending the workshop which started on Tuesday.
It ends on Friday.
“I extend such a welcome because for the first time since our new constitution was promulgated in 2013, no Attorney General attended Parliamentary business and she is the first one to do so since 2013 and yet the constitution is quiet explicit in the sense that the Attorney General can attend Parliamentary business including in the House.
“Honourable Attorney General I am very pleased that you found time to be here. I hope we will see you in the House because your presence and direction in terms of our Parliamentary processes is definitely required,” said Adv Mudenda.
He said Parliament cannot act as if it is the beginning and end of everything when there are people behind the scenes and these should be embraced.
He implored all Government institutions and individuals to learn from past failures and be enjoined by the kennel of wisdom.
Adv Mudenda said in terms of the Land Commission Act, the Attorney General is part and parcel of that commission but at the moment the commission has one officer acting solo.
“It is the responsibility of the Parliament to make sure the commission is fully in place and the AG can assist us to have that commission in place because we need to review the law,” he said.
Mrs Mabhiza, who was appointed in September last year, promised to work with Parliament.
“I appreciate the invitation and I am greatly honoured by it. I am very humbled Speaker of Parliament in the manner in which you introduced me. Indeed Section 114 of the Constitution summarises the role of the Attorney General,” she said.
In terms of Section 114 of the Constitution, the Attorney General acts as the principal legal advisor to the Government and represents the Government in civil and constitutional proceedings.
The AG helps draft legislation on behalf of the Government and helps promote and protect the rule of law and also to defend the public interest and also to do any other function assigned by an Act of Parliament.
The AG can sit and speak in the Senate and National Assembly but has no vote.
Online Reporter