Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda is tipped to
retain his position as it emerged that both President Emmerson Mnangagwa and
his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, have expressed confidence in him after he
smoothly presided over former President Robert Mugabe’s resignation last
November.
According to Zanu PF sources, Mudenda, who did not contest
the July 30 elections, was guaranteed to continue as head of the legislative
arm of government.
“He is going to retain the seat, hence he did not
participate in either the party’s primary election or the general elections
because his post had been assured.
“After the swearing-in of MPs tomorrow (today), a caucus
will be called to officially announce to all MPs who would have been sworn-in
on who should be elected the Speaker of Parliament and the president of the
Senate. After that, next week Tuesday September 11, 2018, we shall then have
the first sitting of the National Assembly, upon which the two shall be
elected. But on the issue of the Speaker, it is as clear to us that Mudenda is
the man who is going to be the Speaker again,” a senior party official said.
Last week, Mnangagwa held meetings with Mudenda over the
issue of convening Parliament for the purposes of swearing-in so that he could
appoint his Cabinet.
Mudenda confirmed that he held meetings and discussions
with the President over the issue of swearing-in of elected MPs.
“The President has confidence in him, so on the first
sitting of the National Assembly, we shall vote for Mudenda again. Tomorrow
(today), it is just a day for swearing-in, then wait for next week to elect the
presiding officers,” a source said.
Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda confirmed that today,
no election of the Speaker or the president of Senate would take place, as
these had been set for next Tuesday.
Mudenda will today meet with the International Republican
Institute and the National Democratic Institute that have been in the country
to observe the July 30 elections. Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment