adminHerald Reporter
Political parties in Parliament yesterday moved in to address sitting challenges for ministers and their deputies by restoring the old system where the front benches of the chamber would be reserved for them. MDC-T, as the official opposition, would also have its MPs as shadow ministers and senior party officials seats reserved for them as Parliament grapple to address the sitting challenges.
The arrangement would go a long way in addressing an embarrassing situation that occurred on Tuesday, the first day when the Eighth Parliament commenced business where some ministers and their deputies followed proceedings while standing in the aisles.
Both Zanu-PF and MDC-T held separate caucuses yesterday where the issue of sitting arrangements dominated their deliberations.
During sitting yesterday afternoon, backbenchers rushed to occupy seats almost 30 minutes before official sitting time of 14:15 hours and the front right side could be seen empty as it had been reserved for Government ministers and their deputies.
The other left front side was occupied by shadow ministers from the MDC-T.
Backbenchers who failed to secure seats in the Chamber had to go to the Speaker’s gallery, normally reserved for visitors
Online Reporter