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Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
NEWLY elected legislators from the 10th National Assembly and Senate were sworn-in at the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden yesterday.
First to take their oaths were members of the National Assembly and Senators later followed suit.
The legislators were still to chose the presiding officers for the two houses for the next five years following their elections during the August 23 and 24 harmonised elections at the time of going to print.
The National Assembly will be presided over by the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, while the President and the Deputy President will be in charge of the Senate.
After winning 136 of the 210 constituencies, Zanu PF won 33 of the 60 proportional representation women’s seats and seven of the 10 youth seats, while CCC won 73 constituency seats and then picked up 27 of the women’s seats and three youth seats.
There is still one constituency where a vote is required after a nominated candidate died in the run-up to the poll.
The swearing-in of the members of the National Assembly and senators follows the inauguration of President Mnangagwa on Monday.
In Manicaland, Zanu PF won 21 out of the 26 National Assembly constituencies, while CCC had five seats.
The two parties shared equally the six Senatorial and Women’s Quota seats that were up for grabs respectively, while Zanu PF bagged the youth quota seat by virtue of having the highest number of votes recorded in Manicaland.
The swearing-in of the legislators come at a time when President Mnangagwa guaranteed democracy, good governance and the rule of law under his Second Term of office.
“Under my leadership and the new Zanu PF Government, democracy, good governance, the rule of law and the politics of tolerance will be entrenched, in line with the spirit and letter of our sacred national Constitution and laws. We make no apologies for entrenching and protecting our unique Zimbabwean values, cultures and norms. In this regard, I challenge us all to remain Zimbabwean and African, in both thoughts and deeds.
“Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and “a friend to all and enemy of none”. Our membership and engagement within SADC, the African Union and United Nations and other countries in the comity of nations remain guided by the principles of mutual respect and the sovereign equality of nations, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
The undermining of our national institutions and laws will not be condoned, under whatever guise.
“No country or group of persons should disregard the sovereign decisions and views of the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
We will never be second class citizens in our own country. We stand ready to welcome those nations who want to work with the new ZANU PF Government to build lasting partnerships to make the world a better place,” said President Mnangagwa.
Online Reporter