…July Moyo, Chitando, Shava also ‘guilty’
VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga (pictured) has gone for months without attending Parliament, forcing members to push Speaker Jacob Mudenda to find ways to ensure that he and other ministers avail themselves to the House of Assembly.
MOSES MATENGA
Chiwenga, who is also Health minister, was supposed to respond to several questions regarding the failing health sector, but has failed to avail himself for the duty, leaving his deputy John Mangwiro to answer questions.
Another cabinet minister singled out for not coming to Parliament, particularly for the Wednesday question-and-answer sessions, is Local Government minister July Moyo, who has left his deputy Marian Chombo facing the wrath of inquisitive MPs on key issues.
Foreign Affairs minister Frederick Shava has also not been pitching up for parliamentary question-and-answer sessions and only his deputy David Musabayana has taken the time to respond to questions.
A handful of ministers led by leader of government business in the lower House and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi have consistently been coming to Parliament and answering questions on subjects they have hazy information on.
Opposition MP Innocent Gonese said Parliament should act on Chiwenga and others who were not taking legislative business seriously.
“Is there any limit to the number of times that one seeks leave of absence because we have seen, for example, the Vice-President and minister of Health and Child Care, the honourable minister of Foreign Affairs, the minister of Mines, honourable minister July Moyo are never here,” Gonese asked.
“So if we have a scenario where week in, week out, ad infinitum, certain ministers are always seeking leave of absence, will they ever be in attendance? My belief is that when you are seeking leave of absence, it should be for a specific day when one has a specific commitment, not a situation where you are perpetually on leave of absence,” he argued.
The list of absentee ministers for this week was long with almost all senior ministers unavailable.
“I know that there is no quorum for ministers in terms of question time but we cannot have a situation where more than half, if not 80%, are absent even if it is on leave, otherwise that is the point which I seek clarity on. Is it not something which needs to be addressed?”
Mudenda said the ball was in the legislators’ court, as they can amend the Standing Orders to address the matter.
“I have even said the Standing Orders do not demand even the reason for absent. The ball is in your court, members of this august House, to amend the Standing Orders accordingly so that your concerns can be satisfied,” Mudenda added.
“Permanent absenteeism – the ball is in your court to tighten up the Standing Orders.”
MPs have in the recent past complained over ministers who they said were dodging grilling on serious matters, including the controversial Pomona waste-to-energy deal, the failing economy, and the deteriorating public healthcare system.
Independent Norton MP Temba Mliswa has been consistent in calling for action on ministers who do not take parliamentary business seriously, saying they are disrespecting a key arm of the state.
