By Parliamentary Correspondent
The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has called for Parliament to urgently work on the enactment of Bills that are due from previous Sessions, haven’t been forwarded to Parliament yet despite his emphasis and those under the various Parliamentary Portfolio Committees.
The message which was ushered during the recently held State of the Nation Address,SONA, shows commitment by the Office of President and Cabinet in alignment of legislation especially after the landmark signing of the Criminal Laws Amendment, (Protection of Children and Young Persons Bill).
“May I preface the legislative segment of my address by highlighting that Parliament has an obligation to expedite the enactment of all Bills that, for one reason or another, are outstanding from previous Sessions of the August House.”
Mnangagwa noted some of the outstanding legislation as,
“The list includes Bills relating to: Persons with Disabilities; Administration of Estates Amendment; Civil Aviation Amendment; Death Penalty Abolition; Parks and Wildlife Amendment; Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment; and Mines and Minerals Amendment. Others are the Medical Services Amendment; and the Insurance and Pensions Amendment.”
Furthermore, “The second category comprises Bills that came to light since my last address, but which Ministries never forwarded to Parliament.”
With one unnoticed legislator having allegedly called out, pfira dandy, ‘spit the chewing gum’, a growing social joke following a Masvingo musician’s song, the legislators complacency as can be learnt thereof was called to guard by Mnangagwa as he called for seriousness and unity that sees and knows no political differences.
“I also challenge Parliamentary Portfolio Committees to be seized with the business of Bills that fall under their respective purviews. All concerned parties must address these anomalies for the collective good of our nation.” Mnangagwa also announced.
Zimbabwe has been at task to ammend its laws following the drafting of a new constitution in 2013, a situation that at times has devided political parties as they felt their concerns were not met despite arguments of poor attendance at public hearings and submissions by opposition parties and non state actors.