PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is engaging Parliament over
the swearing-in of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe and the appointment of a
new Cabinet, as he races against time amid reports that government business was
virtually at a standstill.
Mnangagwa on Monday reportedly met outgoing Speaker of the
National Assembly Jacob Mudenda to discuss the processes and procedures to take
place, as the country awaits the appointment of Vice-Presidents and Cabinet
ministers.
Yesterday, Mudenda confirmed “consultations” were underway
on the matter, although he could not divulge definitive timelines as well as
the processes.
“Indeed, consultations are underway with regards to the
process and what’s ought to start. I am sorry I cannot share much or say anything
further than that. I am involved and I am sorry I cannot help you even legally
or the interpretation you so seek,” Mudenda said.
Mnangagwa is yet to appoint his Cabinet from elected MPs
and five non-constituency MPs to be appointed based on their skills and
technical abilities.
“At the moment, constitutionally, Zimbabwe does not have a
Vice-President or a Cabinet minister because a new President has been sworn-in
and all those who were ministers are no longer such. Whatever all these
ministers are doing, it is illegal or in transition,” a senior government
official said.
“The law is silent on what ought to start. The President
might appoint since those elected are now known and were duly declared so by
the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. What is left for them is to be sworn in so
that they could start parliamentary business,” another official said.
Mnangagwa is expected to officially open the Harare
Agricultural Show on Friday before he leaves for China to attend the
China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing that will be officially
opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday.
Zanu PF Vice-Presidents — Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo
Mohadi — would not be eligible to act in Mnangagwa’s absence until being
sworn-in.
Attorney-General Prince Machaya said the ministers were
appointed from the pool of elected MPs, hence the swearing in of
parliamentarians ought to start albeit circumstantial. Newsday
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