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Harare Bureau
Parliament last Thursday approved a motion moved by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Fortune Chasi to invite President Mugabe to officially open the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament following its pending expiry next week. Deputy Minister Chasi said while the previous constitution provided that the President officially open parliament, it was prudent to maintain that convention despite it not being provided for in the current constitution.
This, said Deputy Minister Chasi, would enable the President to provide parliament with a legislative agenda.
The motion allows the Speaker of the National Assembly, Cde Jacob Mudenda, and Senate president Cde Edna Madzongwe to invite the President to officially open parliament on a convenient date.
Deputy Minister Chasi said inviting the Head of State and Government and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to officially open parliament did not in any way breach the new constitution.
He was responding to comments made by Southerton MP Gift Chimanikire who wanted to know if the government was seeking to amend the constitution.
Deputy Minister Chasi said section 146 of the new Constitution provided that each House of Parliament could determine the time and duration of its sittings, other than their first sittings.
Both Houses can also determine when to break for recess but not more than 180 days.
derick.khumalo