Errant Ministers: Here Is Why Jacob Mudenda Should Take The Blame
By Gracious Nyati
The Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has been blamed for being too lenient on government ministers that regularly abscond parliament.
In an interview with Open Parly, Legislator for Mutasa Central, Honourable Trevor Saruwaka said the Speaker of Parliament seems to be comfortable with the ministers not prioritizing parliament business which is critical for checks and balances.
“The caliber of parliament leaders that we have do not and will not take action because they are part of the misgovernance, it is a way to avoid accountability to the people’s representatives.
“They are never available, July Moyo being the most notorious one who never comes to parliament,”
“Wednesday is traditionally set for lawmakers to question ministers on issues concerning the country and relay their constituency’s grievances which is impossible with the ministers in absentia,” said Saruwaka.
Other notable absentees are Vice President Chiwenga who doubles as Minister of Health and Childcare but late last month he made an appearance that was celebrated by legislators. Many other ministers are regularly absent from parliament.
Saruwaka Suggests Taking Action.
However, Saruwaka is of the view that the Ministers are punishable and can be brought to book if the parliament wants to hold them to account.
“If they wanted this to be rectified, they could charge the Ministers with contempt of Parliament.
“There are provisions to deal with it just like laws, it is not just about having them but there is a need for implementation,”
Moreso, Saruwaka highlighted that the Ministers always claim to have emergencies to attend to, errands to run, and meetings with the President.
“They always have excuses, they notify the speaker instead of justifying their absentia, a minister can have errands for the whole year, and just like that they have avoided answering to us,”
“Technically, they are not at fault because they would have given excuses and dully excused, ” Saruwaka said.
Sarawaka added that the executive prioritizes trivial issues as a strategy to redeem the Ministers from being questioned about public funds.
Moreover, Parliament’s response is long overdue, numerous complaints have been made by Legislators which include Hon Temba Mliswa, Hon Innocent Gonese, and Hon Norman Markham, just to name a few.
Errant Ministers: Here Is Why Jacob Mudenda Should Take The Blame
