Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has warned Zanu PF legislators to desist from running away from debates currently happening in the House.
The National Assembly is currently debating the State of the Nation Address (SONA) which was delivered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa a few weeks ago.
However, several Zanu PF legislators briefly come to the House to have their names marked on the attendance register and leave immediately after.
The attendance register is used for distribution of fuel coupons and sittings allowance for the members.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mudenda said ruling party legislators must be exemplary in their conduct, and that they must sit in the House even if they are not going to debate.
He advised the Zanu PF acting Chief Whip that Parliament will invoke the Standing Rules and Orders of Parliament to deal with the errant legislators.
‘’Acting Chief Whip, I see your numbers are few here. Can you send a word around to your Hon. Members that when you are here in Harare and the House is sitting, even if you do not have to speak, you are required to be inside in attendance.
‘’The other half, more or less, is not here and they will receive coupons at tax payers’ expense, that is unacceptable. They have to be in attendance here and listen also. You do not have to debate, but listen to what others are saying and learn from what they are saying to find out to what extent what they are saying could be applicable at the constituency where you stay,’’ he said.
The Speaker also expressed his disappointment at Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs who are also missing Parliament.
He said they must attend Parliament so that they can understand issues coming from the various constituencies in the country.
‘’Also, I see only one Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Hon. Moyo. Where are the others? They have to be here as well so that they can understand the dynamics of issues coming from the various constituencies and learn to apply that information where it is applicable.
‘’The Clerks who do the attendance lists are alive to that. People, especially from the ruling party must lead by example. You do not come here for five minutes, 10 minutes or 30 minutes and then you disappear, that is improper. You have to be here all the time. I hope your gadgets are working there to see who has come in and has gone out after 10 minutes and did not come back. Use those gadgets and we will apply the Standing Rules and Orders accordingly. Do we understand each other Acting Chief Whip? Thank you,” he said.
