Mnangagwa leaves out important Devolution Bill from Parliament agenda
By Daniel Chigundu
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has notably left out the highly anticipated Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Bill from the legislative agenda for the Second Session of the 10th Parliament. The bill is crucial for operationalising Provincial Councils as part of Zimbabwe’s ongoing devolution efforts.
Provincial Councils have been in limbo since 2013, when the new constitution was adopted, awaiting this key legislation to begin functioning. The Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Bill is expected to bring life to these councils, which are vital in decentralising government functions.
Just weeks ago, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced in the National Assembly that the bill had been finalized and would be fast-tracked.
“We have now finalized the Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Bill, and we will ensure it is fast-tracked. If necessary, we may use other measures to make it operational while Parliament deliberates,” Ziyambi said, further assuring that the bill would enable the councils to function efficiently.
However, despite these assurances, the bill is not among the 24 bills on Parliament’s agenda. Mnangagwa’s legislative schedule includes 15 new bills and 9 carry-over bills from the previous session.
New Bills for the Second Session
The new legislative agenda features critical bills such as:
- Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Bill
- Teaching Professions Council Bill
- Occupational Safety and Health Bill
- State Services Pensions Bill
- Public Service Act Amendment Bill
- Rural Electrification Act Amendment
- Public Entities Corporate Governance Act Amendment
- Pipelines Act Amendment
- Legal Practitioners Amendment Bill
- Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill
- Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill
- Standards Bill
- Legal Metrology Bill
- Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill
- Media Practitioners Bill
Carry-Over Bills
The 9 bills from the First Session, which will be restored to the Order Paper, include:
- Persons with Disabilities Bill
- Administration of Estates Amendment Bill
- Civil Aviation Amendment Bill
- Death Penalty Abolition Bill
- Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill
- Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill
- Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill
- Medical Services Amendment Bill
- Insurance and Pensions Amendment Bill
Despite the anticipation surrounding the Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Bill, its exclusion from the legislative agenda raises questions about the government’s commitment to devolution and decentralisation.
Mnangagwa leaves out important Devolution Bill from Parliament agenda
Mnangagwa leaves out important Devolution Bill from Parliament agenda
