Senators blast ministers for snubbing Parly

Senators have expressed frustration over Cabinet ministers consistently skipping question and answer sessions in both the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament. This trend has reportedly persisted since the advent of the second republic. On June 13, only six ministers, including deputies, attended the Senate session.

Midlands Senator Tsitsi Muzenda highlighted the ongoing issue, noting that many ministers have repeatedly failed to respond to motions and questions, which makes senators feel undervalued. She proposed keeping a register to track attendance and emphasized that important motions and questions often remain unaddressed for extended periods.

Chief Fortune Charumbira suggested that some ministers' lack of attendance could be due to attitude issues. He pointed out that while some ministers are active in the National Assembly, they often neglect the Senate. He called for an investigation into this discrepancy.

Senate deputy president Mike Nyambuya acknowledged the severity of the issue, noting that it has been a recurring problem throughout the Ninth Parliament. He urged the leader of government business to address this administrative concern to ensure better ministerial participation in Senate sessions.