Ministers boycott House session

Herald Reporter
Most Cabinet ministers were not available to respond to questions in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
This saw Parliamentarians complain to Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who was the Leader of the House, and Speaker Mr Lovemore Moyo.
Most questions on the Order Paper went unanswered as they had no takers.
Ministers also field questions from backbenchers on Wednesdays.
Nyanga South House of Assembly representative Mr Willard Chimbetete (MDC-T) asked Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga if there was a legal instrument compelling ministers to come and respond to questions in Parliament.
DPM Mutambara said he would take the issue to Cabinet and admonish the ministers.
“I commit to this House that the Honourable Ministers will come next week to answer these questions,” said the DPM.
The Speaker, Mr Moyo, added: “The failure by ministers to come to answer questions by backbenchers is a cause for concern.”
Last year, DPM Mutambara and Mr Moyo expressed the same sentiments after a no-show by most ministers.
This was after Mutare South Member of the House of Assembly Cde Fred Kanzama (Zanu-PF) had raised concern over the ministers’ conduct.
One of the questions on the Order Paper was from Magwegwe representative, Mr Felix Sibanda (MDC-T) who wanted Transport, Communication and Infrustructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche to explain the rationale behind banning five-year-old vehicle importation.
Pelandaba-Mpopoma MP, Mr Samuel Khumalo (MDC-T) wanted Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma to justify electricity tariffs.