Cabinet ministers will he held in contempt of Parliament if
they continue missing business sittings, Speaker of the National Assembly
Advocate Jacob Mudenda warned yesterday.
He issued the warning after only a handful of ministers and
deputy ministers attended yesterday’s weekly Question and Answer Session.
Most members of the National Assembly resorted to directing
their questions to the Leader of the House, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi who deals with Government business.
“These ministers are undermining the President and
Government. There have been no apologies that have been tendered. If next week
there are no ministers, there must be someone from the floor who moves a point
of order and raise a motion so that we can deal with them for contempt of
Parliament,” said Adv Mudenda.
He urged Minister Ziyambi to ensure ministers attended
Parliament and take its business seriously.
Some of the ministers that were present included
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa,
Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Women’s
Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Dr Sithembiso
Nyoni, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Science and Technology
Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage
Deputy Minister Mike Madiro, Finance and Economic Development Deputy Minister
Clemence Chiduwa, and Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Magna
Mudyiwa.
The ministers who took the trouble to seek official leave
of absence are Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier
Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister
Kazembe Kazembe, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando,
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza, National
Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe, Primary and Secondary
Education Minister Cain Mathema, Local Government and Public Works Minister
July Moyo and Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza.
Adv Mudenda said MPs who tested positive for Covid-19
following tests conducted on Monday and Tuesday would be contacted individually
and be required to self-isolate. Herald
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