Parly to propose charge against errant ministers

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Parliament wants Standing Orders to be reviewed to provide for punitive measures against Cabinet ministers who fail to attend the House to field questions and respond to motions.
Legislators want ministers who fail to attend Parliament without reasonable cause to be charged with contempt of Parliament. The issue was debated on Monday during the meeting of the Standing Rules and Orders Committee chaired by Speaker of the National Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda.

The Law and Procedure Committee, a sub-committee of SROC, presented a report on areas where the Standing Orders needed to be reviewed.
The committee chaired by Kuwadzana MP Mr Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) was tasked among other things to align Standing Orders with the new Constitution.
One of the aspects that created debate during the SROC meeting was the proposal to charge ministers and their deputies who fail to attend Parliament proceedings to answer questions and respond to motions.

Cde Mudenda confirmed the issue, saying consultations were still ongoing.
“It is an ongoing process,” he said. “The committee responsible is still working on those issues.”

There has been concern from legislators on the failure by Cabinet ministers to attend sessions to respond to questions.
This resulted in presiding officers — Cde Mudenda and Senate President Cde Edna Madzongwe — issuing out warnings in their respective chambers against members of the Executive who did not take business of Parliament seriously.

Meanwhile, Parliament’s committee on Human Resources has completed short-listing of candidates to sit on independent commissions.