A parliamentary storm is brewing in Zimbabwe as ministers are accused of prioritizing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s occasions over their legislative duties, sparking requires the President to be summoned to Parliament to reply questions.

Opposition lawmakers, together with the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda himself, have accused the ministers of sabotaging Parliament by prioritising the President’s occasions over their legislative duties.

According to studies, 16 Cabinet ministers and 15 deputy ministers have been absent from Wednesday’s parliamentary session, with some claiming to be attending to nationwide assignments outdoors the nation.

Mudenda described the scenario as “very unusual”.

“I’ve acquired a really uncommon checklist of apologies, when it comes to the numbers, from the Executive. I’m knowledgeable some ministers are outdoors the nation, together with the Leader of Government Business.

“Others are on national duty in Victoria Falls and elsewhere but there is no excuse for deputies not to be here totally, there is no excuse,” he acknowledged.

Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa, nonetheless, identified that the identical ministers are all the time current when the President hosts occasions, such because the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The opposition has known as for the President to be summoned to Parliament to reply questions, citing a provision within the Constitution that enables for such an interface.

“So, to that extent Mr. Speaker, I want to stand on a point of Order 177 (4) as read with our Constitution, Section 140 (3) which states that there may be a question time for the President in accordance with Section 140 (1) of the Constitution,” Mushoriwa acknowledged.

“Mr. Speaker Sir, it’s our request that the Speaker makes preparations for the Head of State and President of Zimbabwe to return earlier than this august House in order that this august House and Hon. Members on this august House might truly pose inquiries to the President. We have reached this stage

“Mr. Speaker Sir, having famous the deliquesce on the a part of a number of the Hon. Ministers who haven’t come to this House to reply questions from Hon. Members or Parliament representing the residents of this nation.

“Hon. Speaker Sir, we humbly request that in accordance with the said Standing Orders and also the relevant sections of our Constitution, that the President comes to this august House so that we Hon. Members of Parliament will be in a position to pose questions to him.”

Mudenda has promised to research the matter and cope with ministers who’re persistently absent with out legitimate causes.

The Speaker has undertaken to debate the matter with the President and be certain that ministers prioritise their parliamentary duties.

“Meanwhile, I’ll have some dialog with His Excellency tomorrow and provides him the checklist and the priority accordingly in order that maybe in future, when there may be query time, we would not have to have some clashes.

“I recall one time when there was a conflict and a few Hon. Ministers have been flocking there to be with the President, His Excellency mentioned different Hon. Ministers who had nothing to do with the programme should return to Parliament. That was executed.

“So, there is also a habit of flocking for these national events when in fact it has nothing to do with the Ministry concerned,” he mentioned.