Ninth Parly set for first sitting
THE First Session of the Ninth Parliament will have its inaugural sitting tomorrow with debate on the speech delivered by President Mnangagwa when he officially opened the august House last week expected to take centre stage.
Tomorrow’s sitting will be preceded by an induction of Members of Parliament starting today in Harare as most of them are newcomers.
Legislators from both the National Assembly and Senate are expected to debate President Mnangagwa’s speech.
A notice of motion for the debate was made soon after President Mnangagwa addressed a joint sitting of the two Houses.
Most legislators are expected to make their maiden speeches. They are allowed to bring a prepared speech should they wish.
Several motions from backbenchers are also expected to be tabled for debate.
Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda is also expected to announce how portfolio committees to shadow Government ministries will be constituted.
Senate President Mabel Chinomona will announce members of thematic committees in the Senate.
Members of Parliament are also expected to declare their assets by October 5 after Adv Mudenda told legislators that it was a legal requirement.
“I wish to remind all Honourable members that in terms of Section 198 of the Constitution and Standing Order No. 49, you are required to declare your assets within 30 days of having taken oath or affirmation of a Member of Parliament and the 30 days will expire on the 5th October, 2018. Those who fail to comply will be in contempt of Parliament. I therefore encourage all honourable members who are yet to comply to visit the office of Counsel to Parliament in Office No. 306, Third Floor, Parliament Building,” said Adv Mudenda soon after President Mnangagwa delivered his speech last Tuesday.
Adv Mudenda is also expected to announce the existence of two vacancies that occurred in the National Assembly.
A vacancy occurred in Mutoko North constituency following the elevation of the incumbent legislator, Cde Chinomona, to Senate President a fortnight ago.
Cde Chinomona won the right to represent Mutoko North constituency in the just-ended harmonised elections before being elected Senate President.
She beat MDC-Alliance candidate Mr Morgen Komichi.
Section 129 (1) (d) of the Constitution reads as follows: “The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant on the member becoming President of the Senate or Speaker or a member of the other House.”
The other vacancy is in respect of Matabeleland North Proportionate Representative following the death of Cde Thokozile Mathuthu last month.
In terms of the Constitution, Cde Mathuthu’s seat will be filled by a woman nominated by the party that she belonged to in terms of Section 39 of the Electoral Act.
Zanu-PF is expected to provide the candidate.
The 2019 National Budget should be the major highlight for this year’s parliamentary business.
Members of Parliament are expected to make wide consultations on budget formulation once Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube tables it for debate in the House.