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Mudenda warns Ministers
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Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, has issued a stern warning to Cabinet Ministers who continue to miss Parliament's question-and-answer sessions, questioning the sincerity of their frequent apologies.
During Wednesday's parliamentary session, Adv Mudenda expressed frustration over the habitual absence of ministers, cautioning that action would be taken against those who consistently fail to attend and respond to backbenchers' inquiries. He noted that while some ministers had sought leave of absence, the regularity of such apologies suggested a lack of commitment to duty.
"Now, my observation is this, there are quite clear apologies that have been very consistent, and my suspicion is that these ministers who tender apologies cannot be on national duty every week. I am therefore directing the Clerk and staff to make a proper analysis of those ministers who have been consistently tendering their apologies. Appropriate action, therefore, must be taken sooner rather than later," said Adv Mudenda.
He further noted that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had previously urged Cabinet Ministers and their deputies to take their responsibilities seriously, yet the persistent absenteeism undermined this directive.
Adv Mudenda highlighted that deputy ministers were also frequently absent, despite the constitutional requirement for Vice-Presidents, Ministers, and Deputy Ministers to attend Parliament and its committees to answer questions on matters under their purview.
"When ministers respond to parliamentary processes, this is their time to shine on public policy - telling the world what Government is doing, the challenges Government is facing, and how those challenges are being addressed. This creates public trust in the Government of the day. We cannot afford to miss that golden opportunity," he stated.
He further emphasized that ministers' presence in Parliament was not only a constitutional obligation but also a matter of accountability to taxpayers who fund government operations.
Citing specific cases, Adv Mudenda revealed that several ministries had outstanding responses to parliamentary queries dating back to 2024.
"I have been analyzing questions, written questions that have not been attended to. A question to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has been outstanding since the beginning of October 2024. Then we have three questions outstanding from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development since November 27, 2024. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has six unanswered questions from October 16, 2024, to February 12, 2025."
Adv Mudenda stressed the importance of ministers engaging with Parliament, reminding them that both the National Assembly and the Senate have dedicated question times on Wednesdays and Thursdays, respectively, for them to address pressing issues and policy concerns.
His warning comes amid growing concerns over ministerial accountability, with calls for greater adherence to parliamentary obligations to ensure government transparency and responsiveness to national issues.
During Wednesday's parliamentary session, Adv Mudenda expressed frustration over the habitual absence of ministers, cautioning that action would be taken against those who consistently fail to attend and respond to backbenchers' inquiries. He noted that while some ministers had sought leave of absence, the regularity of such apologies suggested a lack of commitment to duty.
"Now, my observation is this, there are quite clear apologies that have been very consistent, and my suspicion is that these ministers who tender apologies cannot be on national duty every week. I am therefore directing the Clerk and staff to make a proper analysis of those ministers who have been consistently tendering their apologies. Appropriate action, therefore, must be taken sooner rather than later," said Adv Mudenda.
He further noted that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had previously urged Cabinet Ministers and their deputies to take their responsibilities seriously, yet the persistent absenteeism undermined this directive.
Adv Mudenda highlighted that deputy ministers were also frequently absent, despite the constitutional requirement for Vice-Presidents, Ministers, and Deputy Ministers to attend Parliament and its committees to answer questions on matters under their purview.
"When ministers respond to parliamentary processes, this is their time to shine on public policy - telling the world what Government is doing, the challenges Government is facing, and how those challenges are being addressed. This creates public trust in the Government of the day. We cannot afford to miss that golden opportunity," he stated.
He further emphasized that ministers' presence in Parliament was not only a constitutional obligation but also a matter of accountability to taxpayers who fund government operations.
Citing specific cases, Adv Mudenda revealed that several ministries had outstanding responses to parliamentary queries dating back to 2024.
"I have been analyzing questions, written questions that have not been attended to. A question to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has been outstanding since the beginning of October 2024. Then we have three questions outstanding from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development since November 27, 2024. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has six unanswered questions from October 16, 2024, to February 12, 2025."
Adv Mudenda stressed the importance of ministers engaging with Parliament, reminding them that both the National Assembly and the Senate have dedicated question times on Wednesdays and Thursdays, respectively, for them to address pressing issues and policy concerns.
His warning comes amid growing concerns over ministerial accountability, with calls for greater adherence to parliamentary obligations to ensure government transparency and responsiveness to national issues.
Source - the herald
