Legislators in Zimbabwe play three roles which are Representative, Legislative and Oversight during their normally 5-year Parliament term.
In their representative role, they are expected to get issues from their constituencies through consultation meetings and bring them to Parliament. After bringing the issues to the attention of Parliament, the legislators are supposed to take answers back to the people through feedback meetings.
The legislative role involves making laws on behalf of their constituencies and the nation at large.
Oversight role they play it through the Portfolio Committees which they are supposed to belong to and actively participate.
The important thing to remember about these roles is that they require the legislators to speak in Parliament sittings and committee meetings as well.
However, there are some legislators who have just been coming to Parliament to make numbers. These legislators do not participate in debates or even ask questions during the Question-and-Answer segment on Wednesdays.
In short, they are being paid to come and sit in Parliament, what will be called in street lingo as ‘’kuripwa kugara’’.
Parliament resumed sitting this year on the 2nd of February following a festive season break.
The National Assembly has had 34 sittings this year (2021) as at 31 May.
Below is a list of some of the legislators who have not spoken in the National Assembly this year.
Philip Chiyangwa||Zvimba North|| Zanu PF
Honourable Chiyangwa is not new in the National Assembly, he has been there before (2000-2005). However, he has not said anything in Parliament between the 2nd of February and May 31. He has only been vocal outside Parliament.
Despite fighting tooth and nail to be in Parliament, Chiyangwa has failed to justify his presence in the legislature. This could mean Zvimba North people are being underrepresented and their issues are not finding their way into Parliament.
Even though Chiyangwa has not been actively participating in the National Assembly, he voted YES for Constitutional Amendment Bill No.2.
In terms of education, Chiyangwa has a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Leadership-Dominica, St Luma University. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Management and Admin (Jersey U.K)
Cathrine Gozho||Proportional Representation|| MDC Alliance
Honourable Gozho is serving her first term in Parliament having been elected under the women’s quota (Proportional Representation) in July 2018. Gozho has not said anything in the National Assembly this year from 2nd of February up to 31 May. This means women’s issues which she was elected to champion are being underrepresented in Parliament.
Despite not speaking in the National Assembly, Honourable Gozho voted YES for the Constitution Amendment Bill No.2
In terms of education, Gozho has no listed qualification except that she has done training in Community Healing, Psychological Trauma, Counselling Skills, Stress Management and Building Resistance Basic Care and Supportive Skills.
Getrude Chibagu|| Proportional Representation ||Zanu PF
Honourable Chibagu is serving her third term in Parliament. She was a Senator (2008-2013) and then elected to the National Assembly under the women’s quota (Proportional Representation) from 2013 to current. Honourable Chibagu has not said anything in the National Assembly this year from 2nd of February up to 31 May. This means women’s issues which she was elected to champion are being underrepresented in Parliament.
Despite not speaking in the National Assembly, Honourable Chibagu voted YES for the Constitution Amendment Bill No.2
In terms of education, Honourable Chibagu has no listed qualifications except that she was trained to be Co-coordinator for Woman Projects.
John Rolland Houghton || Kariba|| MDC Alliance
Honourable Houghton is serving his first term in Parliament having been elected in July 2018. Houghton has not said anything in the National Assembly this year from 2nd of February up to 31 May. This means Kariba’s issues are not finding their way into Parliament the Constituency is underrepresented.
Houghton did not participate in voting for the Constitution Amendment Bill No.2. In terms of education, Houghton is a Journeyman Electrician Class 1.
Godfrey Karakadzai Sithole||Chitungwiza North||MDC Alliance
Honourable Sithole is not new in Parliament having been first elected in 2013. Sithole has however not said anything in the National Assembly this year from 2nd of February up to 31 May. This means Chitungwiza North’s issues are not finding their way into Parliament and the constituency might be underrepresented.
Despite not speaking in the National Assembly, Honourable Sithole voted NO for the Constitution Amendment Bill No.2
In terms of education, he holds a Bachelor of Accounting (BACC) from the University of Zimbabwe.
Supa Collins Mandiwanzira ||Nyanga South|| Zanu PF
Honourable Mandiwanzira is not new in Parliament, he has been in there since 2013. However, he has not said anything in Parliament between the 2nd of February and May 31. Mandiwanzira has kept a low profile in the National Assembly since being removed from the ICT Ministry. This means Nyanga South’s issues are not finding their way to Parliament and the constituency could be underrepresented in Parliament.
In education, Mandiwanzira has a Diploma in Mass Communication and other qualifications from City University (London) and University of Zimbabwe
Although Honourable Mandiwanzira has not spoken in the National Assembly, he voted YES for the Constitution Amendment Bill No.2
Meet MPs who have not spoken in Parliament this year
Meet MPs who have not spoken in Parliament this year
