Mudenda raises alarm

Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has raised concern over increasing absenteeism among legislators, warning that attendance in Parliament is falling despite a lull in committee work.

Addressing lawmakers during a recent sitting, Mudenda urged chief whips from both ZANU-PF and opposition parties to take corrective action, noting that the low turnout does not reflect the full membership of the House.

"There are no committees at the moment and public hearings are over, yet attendance remains low," he said, cautioning against the need for formal monitoring by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

The issue has sparked concern about MPs' commitment at a time when Parliament is expected to intensify oversight of government and handle critical legislative business. It also comes amid public scrutiny over a proposed constitutional amendment that could extend lawmakers' term from 2028 to 2030.

Ministers and their deputies have also faced criticism for frequently missing parliamentary sessions, particularly question-and-answer segments, despite constitutional provisions requiring their attendance.

Meanwhile, lawmakers used the platform to push for improved healthcare funding. Mutsa Murombedzi called on government to prioritise rural and maternal health by increasing budget allocations in line with the Abuja Declaration.

She stressed that Zimbabwe should meet the target of allocating at least 15% of its national budget to health, warning that underfunded rural clinics continue to expose mothers and children to preventable risks.

"A healthy nation is a prosperous nation. No mother must die while giving birth," she said.

Zimbabwe has consistently fallen short of the Abuja target, leaving many public health institutions under-resourced and struggling to provide essential services.