Parliament

Universally, the mandate of Parliaments may be generally described as legislative, representational and oversight in nature as well as judicial to some extent. These core functions have evolved over millennia and in their present form; they chiefly comprise legislation, consent to taxation and control of public expenditure, debate on government policy and scrutiny of government administration.

Pursuant to the need to enhance governance systems, some parliaments are now actively involved in the selection and appointments of members of independent constitutional commissions. However, before a detailed comparative enumeration of the roles of parliament can be articulated, it is important for one to understand the constitutional mandate of Parliament as derived from the new Constitution of Zimbabwe that was passed by the Parliament of Zimbabwe on the 15th of May 2013 and assented to by His Excellency The President on the 22nd of May 2013. Mandate of Parliament The Legislature of Zimbabwe consists of Parliament and the President. Legislative authority of Zimbabwe is derived from the people through democratic elections founded on values of fairness and transparency and is vested in the Legislature. s.117 (2)(b) of the constitution states that the Legislature has power to amend the constitution and to ‘… make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Zimbabwe’ . Primary law making powers are vested in Parliament and the President notwithstanding the fact that legislative authority may be conferred or delegated to other bodies and authorities. Bradley and Ewing(2011) observed that it is a fundamental principle of democratic government that there should be an elected assembly representing the people, and that this assembly should have the authority to make laws that apply to the entire population. In concurrence with this view, s.119 of the new constitution states that Parliament is vested with supreme authority to promote democratic governance in Zimbabwe and to ensure that the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level act ‘constitutionally and in the national interest’. As the supreme law, the constitution and its obligations must be complied with pursuant to s.2 of the constitution categorically which enumerates that ‘…this constitution is the supreme law of Zimbabwe and any law, practice, custom or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent of the consistency’.   The new Constitution of Zimbabwe gives prominence to the fact that all institutions and agencies of the state and government are accountable to Parliament. Even the Presidency as a state institution is not exempt from accountability to Parliament. For instance, s.111 states that ‘… The President has power to declare war and make peace, and must advise the Senate and the National Assembly within seven sitting days after exercising such power. The Senate and the National Assembly, by a joint resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the total membership of Parliament, may resolve that a declaration of war should be revoked’ . Where such a joint resolution has been made, the President is obliged to make all practical steps to disengage from the war. s.214 further add that ‘ when the Defence forces are deployed in Zimbabwe for the maintenance of order…the President must cause Parliament to be informed, promptly and in appropriate detail, of the reasons of their deployment…’ The foregoing provisions are a gradual modification of the repealed constitution which did not empower parliament to have any say in the declaration of war or the deployment of defence forces in Zimbabwe for the maintenance of order. s.31 (H)(d)of the former constitution provided that, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President shall have the power to ‘…to declare war and to make peace’. No explicit role was given to Parliament. s.107 of the constitution affirms that ‘… every Vice-President, Minister and Deputy Minister must attend parliamentary committees in order to answer questions concerning matters for which he or she is collectively and individually responsible’ . The former constitution had no similar clause though the Privileges, Immunities and Powers of Parliament Act provided for the summoning of any person to appear before Parliament or its committee. It can be argued that providing a constitutional provision compelling the Executive to avail itself to oversight scrutiny by Parliament was meant to enhance accountability and transparency. Compliance with constitutional provisions is obligatory and not discretionary, unless otherwise stated. s.2(2) of the constitution makes it crystal clear that the obligations imposed by the constitution are binding on every person, natural or juristic, including the State and all executive, legislative and judicial institutions and agencies of government at every level.

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENT

SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: THE HON. ADV. JACOB FRANCIS MUDENDA
PRESIDENT OF SENATE THE HON MABEL CHINOMONA, MP
DEPUTY SPEAKER AND CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: THE HON  TSITSI GEZI, MP
DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE THE HON MICHEAL RUEBEN NYAMBUYA
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES:  THE HON WILLIAM MUTOMBA, MP
CLERK OF PARLIAMENT: KENNEDY MUGOVE CHOKUDA, (Mr.)
DEPUTY CLERK OF PARLIAMENT: HELEN  DINGANI (Ms.)
DEPUTY CLERK OF PARLIAMENT: NOMASONTO SUNGA (Mrs.)
COUNSEL TO PARLIAMENT: GLADYS PISE (Ms.)
CHIEF DIRECTOR: FINANCE:  BERNARD ZVAMADA, (Mr.)
CHIEF DIRECTOR: HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION: STEWARD JAILOS, (Mr.)
CHIEF DIRECTOR: INFORMATION SERVICES: CHRISTINA MAFOKO, (MRS)
CHIEF DIRECTOR: EXTERNAL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS: NDAMUKA MARIMO, (Mr)
ASSISTANT CLERK OF PARLIAMENT:
ASSISTANT CLERK OF PARLIAMENT:
LUCIA NYAWO (Mrs)
PRINCE DANIEL (Mr.)
DIRECTOR HANSARD: ENIA KANYUME (Ms.)

 

THE PRESIDIUM

The President His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

Vice President & Minister of Health and Child Care

The Hon. Rtd. General Dr. Constantino, G.D.N. Chiwenga
 Vice  President

 MINISTERS

Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs  The  Hon. Oppah Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri, Kashiri, M.P.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development The  Hon. Mthuli. Ncube
 Minister of Energy and Power Development  The Hon Zhemu Soda, MP
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and  Medium Enterprises Development  The Hon. Sithembiso G.G Nyoni, M.P
 Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage  The Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, M.P
 Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development  The Hon Felix Tapiwa Mhona , MP
 Minister of Local Government, Public Works and  National Housing  The Hon. July. G. Moyo
 Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science   and Technology Development The Hon. Amon Murwira
 Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and   Rural Settlements The Hon Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuku
 Minister of Health and Child Care The Hon. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga
  Minister of Industry and Commerce The  Hon. S.I Nzenza, M.P
 Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry The  Hon. N.M Ndlovu, M.P.
 Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare The  Hon. P Mavima, MP
 Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade  The Hon  Dr Fraderick  Shava
 Minister of Primary and Secondary Education  The Hon. Cain .N.G Matema, M.P.
 Minister of Mines and Mining Development  The Hon. Winston. Chitando, M.P.
 Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting   Services  The Hon. Monica. Mutswangwa, M.P.
 Minister of Information Communication Technology and  Courier Services  The Hon. J. Muswere, M.P.
 Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation The Hon. Kirsty L. Coventry 
 Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

Minister of National housing and Social Amenities

The  Hon. Ziyambi  Ziyambi, M. P.

The  Hon D Garwe , MP

MINISTERS OF STATE

Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring Implementation of Government Programs The Hon Jorum M Gumbo, MP
Minister of State in Vice President Chiwenga’s Office The  Hon. Evelyn. Ndhlovu, M.P.
 Minister of State in Vice President Mohadi’s Office  The Hon. Davies. Marapira, M.P.
 Minister of State for National Security in the President’s Office  The Hon Owen Ncube, MP

MINISTERS OF STATE FOR PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS 

Bulawayo The Hon Judith Mkwanda
Manicaland The Hon Nokuthula Matsikenyeri, MP
Mashonaland East The  Hon Aplonia Munzverengwi,MP
Mashonaland Central The  Hon Monicah Mavhunga ,MP
Mashonaland West The Hon Mary Thandiwe Mliswa,MP
Masvingo The Hon Ezra Ruvai  , MP
Matebeleland South

Matebeleland South

The Hon Abedinico Ncube, MP

The Hon Richard Moyo , MP

Midlands The Hon Larry Mavima. MP
Harare The Hon

DEPUTY MINISTERS 

Deputy Minister of Defence and Wars Veterans Affairs The Hon
Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development The Hon. Magna. Mudyiwa, M.P
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage The Hon Ruth Mavhunga Maboyi, MP
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development  The Hon. Mike. Madiro, M.P
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and   National Housing The Hon M Chombo, MP
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Culture and  Rural Resettlement The Hon. Douglous. Karoro, M.P
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Culture and  Rural Resettlement The Hon. Vangelis Peter. Haritatos, M.P
Deputy Minister of Industry, and Commerce The Hon. Rajeshkumar. Modi, M.P.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare The Hon. Lovemore Matuke, M.P
Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science
and Technology Development
The Hon.R Machingura, MP
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development  The Hon. Polite. Kambamura, M.P
Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting    Services The Hon Kindness Paradza, MP
Deputy Minister of Information Communication  Technologies The Hon. D Phuti , MP
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation The Hon. T Machakarika, MP
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care The Hon. Chamunorwa J. Mangwiro, M.P.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development The Hon . C Chiduwa, MP
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs And International Trade The Hon David Musabayana , MP
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education The Hon  Edgar. Moyo, M.P.
Deputy Minister of Womens Affairs, Community, Small and Medium
Enterprises Development
The Hon J Mhlanga, MP