Legislature sworn in

MEMBERS of the Eighth Parliament - from the National Assembly and Senate - were yesterday sworn-in, setting the stage for the official opening of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament of Zimbabwe by the Head of State and Government, President Mugabe next Tuesday.

The ceremony was a show of Zanu-PF's electoral dominance as the party's nominees for National Assembly Speaker and his deputy as well as Senate President and her deputy all sailed through unopposed with the MDC-T at sixes and sevens in the wake of the party's crushing defeat to Zanu-PF in the harmonised elections.

MDC-T legislators attended the swearing-in ceremony, but boycotted the election of presiding officers in the National Assembly, while their colleagues in Senate saw through both processes.

Zanu-PF dominates the 270-member National Assembly with 197 seats, MDC-T 70, MDC two, with the remaining seat held by independent legislator for Mudzi South Jonathan Samukange, who failed to land the Zanu-PF ticket but has since professed to be de jure independent, but de facto Zanu-PF.

The Upper House has 80 members with Zanu-PF accounting for 37 seats, MDC-T 21 and the MDC one with chiefs coming in with 18 members and people with disabilities being represented by two special interest senators.

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson Jacob Mudenda and Mabel Chinomona were elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, while Edna Madzongwe was retained as Senate President where she will be deputised by Chenhamo Chimutengwende.

The swearing-in ceremony, that took the greater part of the day, was characterised by emotional scenes, with outgoing Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu breaking down while delivering a congratulatory message to Mudenda.

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku conducted the swearing-in for presiding officers for both Houses in terms of the new Constitution.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma conducted the swearing-in for both Houses, with the MPs taking the oath in batches of 10.

The arrangement saw couples being sworn-in at the same time as the legislators were being called in alphabetical order to take the oath.

This saw Mpofu and his wife Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu and Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo and his wife Roselyn Nkomo taking the oath of loyalty at the same time.

Chikanga-Dangamvura MP Mr Arnold Tsunga and Binga MP Mr Gabuza Joel Gabbuza, both from MDC-T, failed to attend the swearing-in for different reasons and would be sworn-in at a later date.

Bubi MP Clifford Sibanda nominated Mudenda for the Speaker's post and was seconded by Mutasa South MP Irene Zindi, while Mberengwa East MP Makhosini Hlongwane nominated Chinomona for Deputy Speaker and was seconded by Gokwe MP Dorothy Mangami.

In the Senate, Thokozile Mathuthu nominated Madzongwe for president of the House, while Josaya Hungwe seconded her.

For the deputy president of Senate, Charles Tawengwa nominated Chimutengwende, while Tsitsi Muzenda seconded.

In his acceptance speech, Mudenda said he was humbled by the election and pledged to discharge his duties in a professional and dispassionate way, without fear or favour.

He said the doctrine of separation of powers for the three arms of State – the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary – entails that MPs individually and collectively honour the symbiotic relationship of these arms by engaging in constructive criticism and robust debates.

"Nonetheless, the Speaker, whose office and duty is steeped in the ancient origin of being spokesperson of the House, has the inescapable duty and obligation to respect and uphold the doctrine of separation of powers," he said.

Mudenda said he was aware that Zimbabwe had multi-party democracy in which diverse political views were represented in the National Assembly.

"I will guarantee and protect freedom of expression in the House, of course subject to strict adherence to and respect for the Constitution, Standing Orders and any other relevant statutes," he said.

"While the minority will have their say, the majority will have their way."
In his congratulatory message delivered in Ndebele, Mpofu said it was critical that remote areas such as Binga be looked after as well.

Mpofu, who is Umguza MP, then broke down and abruptly left the podium as he could not contain his emotions and tears.
Vice President Joice Mujuru then rose to support Mpofu, saying as leaders there was need to think of underdeveloped areas.

She said she had tried her best to visit areas like Binga, Dande and Malipati to have an appreciation of the situation on the ground.
"There are no roads, emails, electricity," she said. "School pupils eat meat that is not refrigerated. What we learn is that there is no tribe or place that is more important than the other.

"In this august House, when we debate about the need for a railway line linking Harare and Chitungwiza let us also talk of a railway line linking Karoi and Binga."

Others who gave their congratulatory messages were Nkayi North MP Sithembiso Nyoni and Headlands legislator Didymus Mutasa.

In her acceptance speech, Senate president Madzongwe paid tribute to Zanu-PF and President Mugabe for coming up with progressive policies that empowered women.

"The Eighth Parliament and indeed it's Senate is unique and historic in that it will be operating under new, post independence wholly Zimbabwean people driven Constitution," she said.

Simon Khaya Moyo delivered a congratulatory message in the Senate, saying Madzongwe had previously served the Senate well.
Chiefs' Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira implored Senators to continue with their cultured debates and use of proper language during debates.

Sen Mashavakure Nyamayabo, who represents persons with disabilities, also congratulated Madzongwe, saying Senators hoped to benefit from her term.