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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Parliament is coming up with tough measures to punish members who abscond from their duties and has directed its Standing Rules and Orders Committee to propose appropriate penalties.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda yesterday announced the directive to the SROC in a statement delivered in the House before commencement of business, saying the absence of MPs was dereliction of duty.
“In taking oath of office you solemnly swear allegiance to Zimbabwe and to perform your duties to the best of your abilities,” he said. “Your continued absence shows dereliction of duty,” said Adv Mudenda.
“In view of the foregoing, Parliament will consider directing the SROC to deal with errant behaviour. If these penalties are imposed, please don’t cry foul because you have asked for it by your intransigence,” he said.
Advocate Mudenda said MPs had not heeded a warning he issued on July 29, on their erratic attendance, resulting in disruption of parliamentary business in the past three weeks.
Parliament had to adjourn early during debate on the General Laws Amendment Bill on October 8, due to a lack of quorum. The motion was then removed from the Order Paper as required by procedure and was reinstated the following week.
On October 15, business was also disrupted briefly due to a lack of quorum, while the House also adjourned early on Tuesday for the same reason.
“This is totally unacceptable,” said Adv Mudenda. “Honourable members have a responsibility to fulfil in terms of their representative, oversight and legislative roles. Section 117 which explains the nature and extent of the legislative authority and that the legislative authority is derived from the people of Zimbabwe.
“I implore legislators to respect the sources of their authority, the people of Zimbabwe.”
Adv Mudenda said it was surprising that the legislators always complained about the absence of ministers, yet they were also not taking Parliament business seriously.
“MPs have been clamouring for ministers to attend the sittings of the House and it follows that you should lead by example by attending sittings and committees,” he said. “I urge the honourable members to respect the constitution and the people they represent.”
Parliamentarians can lose their seat if they miss sittings for 21 consecutive days without leave of absence.
In July, Adv Mudenda warned parliamentarians that briefly come to the House to register before leaving to attend to their personal businesses.
Earlier this year, the SROC adopted new standing rules whose provisions penalise ministers who fail to come to the House to respond to questions and motions.
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