Parliament clerk retires after serving parly for 2 decades

HARARE - OUTGOING Clerk of Parliament Austin Zvoma yesterday said he was leaving the august House a happy man after clocking nearly 26 years in the hot seat.

Zvoma leaves Parliament barely a year into the second year of his six-year term after reaching the pensionable age of 65.

His departure follows a decision by Parliament's Standing Rules and Orders Committee (SROC) to retire him during its meeting on Monday.

His deputy Kennedy Chokuda was appointed acting clerk until Parliament formally appoints Zvoma's successor, most likely in the first quarter of 2015.

"I feel wonderful to leave Parliament after serving it for this long," Zvoma said.

He, however, did not confirm whether he would depart this month or end of year. "The details of my leaving office would be made public soon."

SROC chairman and Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda was not immediately available for comment.

Zvoma's departure comes shortly after he had initially resisted the move arguing that he had to serve his term in full under the new Constitution. However, the SROC stood its ground and ordered him to quit as he had reached retirement age.

In 2012 Zvoma was saved from the boot following a High Court ruling after MDC-T MPs sought to oust him citing his bias towards Zanu PF.