Mnangagwa's ministers snub Senate's question time

Business in the Senate was disrupted on Thursday after cabinet ministers failed to attend the weekly Question and Answer session, forcing the Deputy President of the Senate, Retired General Michael Nyambuya, to cancel the sitting. Only one deputy minister was present in the chamber.

Senate Standing Orders require ministers to attend and respond to policy questions, but Nyambuya said the absence showed contempt for the upper house. He ruled that instead of adjourning, senators would proceed with debating motions.

"It is sad and very unfortunate that this August House is being treated in such a contemptuous manner. We cannot do our oversight role if we do not have ministers to question them on policy issues," Nyambuya said. He directed the Clerk of Parliament to formally raise the issue with authorities.

The absence sparked anger across the political divide. Zanu-PF senator Conrad Jericho Gotora suggested the sitting be adjourned, saying ministers were disregarding senators despite having attended the National Assembly the previous day. Opposition senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa supported the call, while Zanu-PF's Irene Zindi accused cabinet ministers of "undermining the Senate Chamber."

Traditional leader Chief Ndiweni also urged stronger action to compel ministers to take Senate sessions seriously.

Nyambuya later revealed that several senior ministers had tendered apologies, including Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.

The recurring absence of ministers from both the National Assembly and Senate has become a growing source of frustration for legislators. Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has already escalated the matter to the highest office in government, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Parliament and the Executive over accountability.