The House of Assembly’s inaugural virtual sitting that
started on Tuesday and continued yesterday was blighted by technical glitches.
The Zoom platform had poor sound quality, with some
legislators failing to participate on the first day and could not be allocated
limited places in the House.
Legislators on the podium could not be heard and were
invisible as no cameras would focus on them.
On the first day, those using tablets and sitting outside
the chamber could not be connected, although the problem was fixed the
following day.
Journalists were not spared as only four were allowed in
the Press gallery as the Parliament administration took preventive measures to
reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.
On Tuesday, legislators who were not in the chamber, who
included Matabeleland South MP Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Magunje
MP Cde Cecil Kashiri (Zanu PF), protested over their failure to participate
after they were told that available gadgets did not allow them to
participate virtually.
Several legislators who were not in the chamber could be
heard interjecting, complaining that they intended to participate, but the
presiding officer, Cde Tatenda Mavetera told them that the available gadgets would
not allow this.
Legislators who were not in the Chamber were able to
participate from their tablets, but some still struggled to participate as they
did not know how to connect.
In an interview yesterday, Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy
Chokuda admitted that they experienced technical glitches, but said it was
normal whenever a new system was being introduced.
“There will always be challenges with any new initiatives.
It will take a bit of time for all of us to get used to using virtual means to
participate in meetings as we go through a learning curve.
“We will continue to assess the situation and take the
necessary corrective action to make the connections better. This is a necessary
alternative that we have to use to safeguard the health of everyone,” said Mr
Chokuda. Herald
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