Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
Cabinet Ministers who skip Parliament sessions may face contempt charges, Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, has said.
He also announced on Wednesday that he had informed President Mnangagwa about the necessity for members of the Executive to attend parliamentary business.
Advocate Mudenda told the National Assembly that he had formally written to the President regarding the attendance of Cabinet Ministers.
“I have to inform the House that I have written to His Excellency the President to inform him about the need and the necessity of members of the Executive to attend to business of Parliament, on Wednesday in the National Assembly and on Thursday in the Senate,” said Advocate Mudenda.
“I indicated clearly in that letter that those members who are in the Executive who do not respond accordingly, including to motions and Committee reports, we shall have no option but to invoke Standing Orders in terms of contempt of Parliament.”
This move comes after numerous complaints from backbenchers in both Houses of Parliament about some ministers consistently missing the question and answer session and failing to address issues raised in motions and Committee reports, as mandated by Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders.
In September, the Senate suspended its question and answer session due to the frequent absence of many Cabinet Ministers.
Under parliamentary rules, ministers are required to notify Parliament of their absence during question and answer sessions, reinforcing the emphasis on accountability and attendance.
