News / National
Official opening of Zimbabwe Parliament - Live update
15 Sep 2015 at 10:25hrs | Views
President Mugabe inspects Police Mounted Escort Unit. Picture by Simiso Mlevu
During the tenure of the Third Session, Parliament is expected to craft legislation to facilitate speedy implementation of the 10-Point Plan presented by President Mugabe in his State of the Nation Address to Parliament recently as part of measures to turn around the nation's economic fortunes.
12:45 The Third Session of the Eighth Parliament is officially opened and we end our updates.
12:32 First Lady Grace Mugabe greets and chats with opposition MPs as they move out.
12:32 Speech was about 30 minutes long
12:30 President Mugabe said Government will resuscitate Cottco in order to improve cotton farming saying 3000 jobs will be created. President Mugabe said there has been 3.5 percent growth rate in the mining sector owing to Government's friendly policies.
12:27 While giving his speech, President Mugabe said a thorough audit will be undertaken in parastatals. He also spoke strongly against corruption and obscene salaries which executives have been awarding themselves. He assured the nation that despite poor rains being predicted, noone is going to starve.
12:25 Mugabe to strengthen relations with Bretton Woods institutions. On the Companies Act, President Mugabe said there will be a complete overhaul so that companies do not face any bottlenecks when doing business.
12:23 President Mugabe says the Ten Point plan he recently presented will help in the creation of jobs. He said there is $125 million dedicated to the digitisation project. President Mugabe also said tourism experienced significant growth an indication that people are gaining confidence in Zimbabwe. "51 health centres have been built, 103 are under construction. 400 clinics have been rehabilitated. Diaspora policy to be crafted and overhaul of Companies Act and all pieces of legislation that hinder ease of doing business.News procurement policy to be formulated as well as parastatal reforms."
12:20 President Mugabe says Agriculture sector performance will be below expectation and will negatively impact economic growth. Mining growth is expected to be above 3,5% despite declining international prices. The government has to resuscitate Cottco and restore viability.
12:19 "We have to believe in our nationality so as to overcome adversity."
12:19 President Mugabe begins speech praising securocrats saying that they maintain peace and stability in difficult socio-economic conditions.
12:04 National anthem being sung once again.
11:59 The Speaker promises to deal with the issue after the Presidential speech.
11:58 Raising a point order chief whip Innocent Gonese says, "MDC MPs have received death threats. It is a matter of grave concern."
11:54 The President is ready to officiate over Parliamentary proceedings
11:52 The two houses of Parliament will have a joint sitting as is tradition.
11:52 Edna Madzongwe leads the Senators and chief Charumbira leads traditional leaders.
11:46 Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda leads a procession of lawmakers.
11:45 Chief Justice Chidyausiku leads the ConCourt judges into the Parliament chamber.
11:33 Mugabe being invited to inspect the Guard of Honour. He slowly drags his feet seemingly tired.
11:32 Four more jets fly past.
11:32 Military jets in diamond formation fly past.
11:32 National anthem being played amid booming gun sounds in the background.
11;29 President Mugabe has arrived. He is in his 19th century colonial style Rolls Royce. His children are in attendance.
11:18 Diplomats from various countries are also part of the guests that have been invited for the event.
11:11 President Mugabe and First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe are now leaving for Parliament.
11:15 Military top brass in attendance.
11:12 Mugabe's wailing outriders arrive.
11:10 Elaborate military parade stands at attention as apostolic sect members continue singing. The agonising wait goes on.
11:10 Vice President Mnangagwa has arrived.
President Mugabe and Dr Grace Mugabe prepare to leave for Parliament.
11:06 President Mugabe is now preparing to leave for parliament where he is expected to set the legislative agenda for this session.
11:05 Sithembiso Nyoni arrives on crutches following her reported fall in South Africa.
Military procession arrives made up of the Presidential Guard.
Soldiers from the Presidential Guard that will mount the Guard of Honour arriving at Parliament. Picture by Farirai Machivenyika
10:59 Labour Minister Prisca Mupfumira has arrived.
10:43 President Mugabe has arrived at State House for dressing and photo shoot ahead of the official opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament.
Mrs Bona Mugabe-Chikore her husband Simba Chikore and Russell Goreraza arrive at State House today.
11:02 President Mugabe has finished inspecting the mounted police escort at State House.
The Police Mounted Escort Unit at State House today. Pic by Simiso Mlevu
11:06 President Mugabe is now preparing to leave for parliament where he is expected to set the legislative agenda for this session.
11:00 Mbare Chimurenga members in Zanu PF regalia.
10: 42: The usual praise singers, members of the apostolic sect are singing "Gabriel Mutungamiri" (Gabriel the Leader). Ironically President Robert Mugabe's middle name is Gabriel.
12:45 The Third Session of the Eighth Parliament is officially opened and we end our updates.
12:32 First Lady Grace Mugabe greets and chats with opposition MPs as they move out.
12:32 Speech was about 30 minutes long
12:30 President Mugabe said Government will resuscitate Cottco in order to improve cotton farming saying 3000 jobs will be created. President Mugabe said there has been 3.5 percent growth rate in the mining sector owing to Government's friendly policies.
12:27 While giving his speech, President Mugabe said a thorough audit will be undertaken in parastatals. He also spoke strongly against corruption and obscene salaries which executives have been awarding themselves. He assured the nation that despite poor rains being predicted, noone is going to starve.
12:25 Mugabe to strengthen relations with Bretton Woods institutions. On the Companies Act, President Mugabe said there will be a complete overhaul so that companies do not face any bottlenecks when doing business.
12:23 President Mugabe says the Ten Point plan he recently presented will help in the creation of jobs. He said there is $125 million dedicated to the digitisation project. President Mugabe also said tourism experienced significant growth an indication that people are gaining confidence in Zimbabwe. "51 health centres have been built, 103 are under construction. 400 clinics have been rehabilitated. Diaspora policy to be crafted and overhaul of Companies Act and all pieces of legislation that hinder ease of doing business.News procurement policy to be formulated as well as parastatal reforms."
12:20 President Mugabe says Agriculture sector performance will be below expectation and will negatively impact economic growth. Mining growth is expected to be above 3,5% despite declining international prices. The government has to resuscitate Cottco and restore viability.
12:19 "We have to believe in our nationality so as to overcome adversity."
12:19 President Mugabe begins speech praising securocrats saying that they maintain peace and stability in difficult socio-economic conditions.
12:04 National anthem being sung once again.
11:59 The Speaker promises to deal with the issue after the Presidential speech.
11:58 Raising a point order chief whip Innocent Gonese says, "MDC MPs have received death threats. It is a matter of grave concern."
11:54 The President is ready to officiate over Parliamentary proceedings
11:52 The two houses of Parliament will have a joint sitting as is tradition.
11:52 Edna Madzongwe leads the Senators and chief Charumbira leads traditional leaders.
11:46 Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda leads a procession of lawmakers.
11:45 Chief Justice Chidyausiku leads the ConCourt judges into the Parliament chamber.
11:33 Mugabe being invited to inspect the Guard of Honour. He slowly drags his feet seemingly tired.
11:32 Four more jets fly past.
11:32 National anthem being played amid booming gun sounds in the background.
11;29 President Mugabe has arrived. He is in his 19th century colonial style Rolls Royce. His children are in attendance.
11:18 Diplomats from various countries are also part of the guests that have been invited for the event.
11:11 President Mugabe and First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe are now leaving for Parliament.
11:15 Military top brass in attendance.
11:12 Mugabe's wailing outriders arrive.
11:10 Elaborate military parade stands at attention as apostolic sect members continue singing. The agonising wait goes on.
11:10 Vice President Mnangagwa has arrived.
President Mugabe and Dr Grace Mugabe prepare to leave for Parliament.
11:06 President Mugabe is now preparing to leave for parliament where he is expected to set the legislative agenda for this session.
11:05 Sithembiso Nyoni arrives on crutches following her reported fall in South Africa.
Military procession arrives made up of the Presidential Guard.
Soldiers from the Presidential Guard that will mount the Guard of Honour arriving at Parliament. Picture by Farirai Machivenyika
10:59 Labour Minister Prisca Mupfumira has arrived.
10:43 President Mugabe has arrived at State House for dressing and photo shoot ahead of the official opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament.
Mrs Bona Mugabe-Chikore her husband Simba Chikore and Russell Goreraza arrive at State House today.
11:02 President Mugabe has finished inspecting the mounted police escort at State House.
The Police Mounted Escort Unit at State House today. Pic by Simiso Mlevu
11:06 President Mugabe is now preparing to leave for parliament where he is expected to set the legislative agenda for this session.
11:00 Mbare Chimurenga members in Zanu PF regalia.
10: 42: The usual praise singers, members of the apostolic sect are singing "Gabriel Mutungamiri" (Gabriel the Leader). Ironically President Robert Mugabe's middle name is Gabriel.
Source - the herald
