News / National
Dodgy Ministers face Mnangagwa's wrath
6 hrs ago | Views
Government Ministers have come under intense scrutiny for repeatedly snubbing question-and-answer sessions in Parliament, with critics accusing them of evading accountability and undermining the legislature's role as a critical arm of the state.
Observers say the ministers' persistent absence points to an unwillingness or inability to respond to probing questions from lawmakers, especially at a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship, service delivery failures, and mounting public frustration.
"They are avoiding accountability," said political analyst Comfort Ndlovu. "Remember, the appointing authority – the President – has previously stated that some, if not most, of his lieutenants are underperforming. This is what he meant. They can't face questions."
The continued absenteeism has sparked outrage among senior parliamentary figures, with Senate President Mabel Chinomona and Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda expressing their displeasure. Chinomona, visibly annoyed during a recent session, threatened to escalate the matter directly to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"I do not know whether there are any Ministers here," she said rhetorically. "Honestly, the Senate is not happy about what is being done by Ministers. I think we are going to send our complaint to the President."
Only Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi were present during the session, highlighting the broader trend of ministerial absenteeism.
Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu was scathing in his assessment, accusing the executive of treating Parliament with contempt. "They have no respect for Parliament. Parliament has become a lapdog and a junior institution to the executive. None of those Ministers appointed by the President feel obligated to be accountable to Members of Parliament," he said.
Mukundu further suggested that many MPs, who have benefited from perks such as residential stands and vehicles, are also compromised in their oversight duties, adding that even figures like Sengezo Tshabangu—who claims to lead the opposition—have contributed to weakening parliamentary effectiveness.
Another analyst, Precious Shumba, echoed these sentiments, blaming a superiority complex among Ministers for their disregard of parliamentary processes.
"The government Ministers mistakenly assume that the executive is superior to the legislature. It is that superiority mentality that drives their conduct and behaviour towards the question and answer sessions in Parliament," Shumba said.
He emphasized that in a constitutional democracy, all three arms of the state—the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary—share responsibility for governance. "When Cabinet Ministers avoid presenting themselves before Parliament, the ultimate responsibility rests with the President. He must whip his Ministers into line through the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet," he added.
Shumba stressed that ministerial appearances before Parliament enhance transparency and deepen democratic governance. "Their conduct reflects the President's own attitude towards the legislature," he said.
Government Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi, however, defended the Ministers, saying they may be attending to other pressing commitments assigned by the President.
"They may have other commitments like attending Cabinet and may also have other commitments to deal with as assigned," Togarepi said.
He dismissed criticism that Ministers were avoiding difficult questions or giving shallow responses. "Our Ministers are well researched on issues they are asked. We have some who just want to politic, but our Ministers try their best to give answers."
Togarepi acknowledged that attendance is an obligation and noted that Ministers who cannot attend are expected to send their deputies. "As Government Chief Whip, I always engage these Ministers to say we still want them mainly on Wednesdays," he said.
Despite his assurances, growing frustration among lawmakers and citizens alike signals increasing discontent with the executive's disregard for parliamentary oversight—raising serious questions about the balance of power and accountability in Zimbabwe's governance system.
Observers say the ministers' persistent absence points to an unwillingness or inability to respond to probing questions from lawmakers, especially at a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship, service delivery failures, and mounting public frustration.
"They are avoiding accountability," said political analyst Comfort Ndlovu. "Remember, the appointing authority – the President – has previously stated that some, if not most, of his lieutenants are underperforming. This is what he meant. They can't face questions."
The continued absenteeism has sparked outrage among senior parliamentary figures, with Senate President Mabel Chinomona and Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda expressing their displeasure. Chinomona, visibly annoyed during a recent session, threatened to escalate the matter directly to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"I do not know whether there are any Ministers here," she said rhetorically. "Honestly, the Senate is not happy about what is being done by Ministers. I think we are going to send our complaint to the President."
Only Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi were present during the session, highlighting the broader trend of ministerial absenteeism.
Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu was scathing in his assessment, accusing the executive of treating Parliament with contempt. "They have no respect for Parliament. Parliament has become a lapdog and a junior institution to the executive. None of those Ministers appointed by the President feel obligated to be accountable to Members of Parliament," he said.
Mukundu further suggested that many MPs, who have benefited from perks such as residential stands and vehicles, are also compromised in their oversight duties, adding that even figures like Sengezo Tshabangu—who claims to lead the opposition—have contributed to weakening parliamentary effectiveness.
"The government Ministers mistakenly assume that the executive is superior to the legislature. It is that superiority mentality that drives their conduct and behaviour towards the question and answer sessions in Parliament," Shumba said.
He emphasized that in a constitutional democracy, all three arms of the state—the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary—share responsibility for governance. "When Cabinet Ministers avoid presenting themselves before Parliament, the ultimate responsibility rests with the President. He must whip his Ministers into line through the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet," he added.
Shumba stressed that ministerial appearances before Parliament enhance transparency and deepen democratic governance. "Their conduct reflects the President's own attitude towards the legislature," he said.
Government Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi, however, defended the Ministers, saying they may be attending to other pressing commitments assigned by the President.
"They may have other commitments like attending Cabinet and may also have other commitments to deal with as assigned," Togarepi said.
He dismissed criticism that Ministers were avoiding difficult questions or giving shallow responses. "Our Ministers are well researched on issues they are asked. We have some who just want to politic, but our Ministers try their best to give answers."
Togarepi acknowledged that attendance is an obligation and noted that Ministers who cannot attend are expected to send their deputies. "As Government Chief Whip, I always engage these Ministers to say we still want them mainly on Wednesdays," he said.
Despite his assurances, growing frustration among lawmakers and citizens alike signals increasing discontent with the executive's disregard for parliamentary oversight—raising serious questions about the balance of power and accountability in Zimbabwe's governance system.
Source - Business Times
