Parliamentary Absenteeism by VPs, Ministers a Threat to Transparency and Democracy
A concerning trend of absenteeism among cabinet ministers and Vice Presidents has been observed in Parliament particularly during critical Question and Answer sessions.
This Thursday, Deputy President of the Senate, Michael Nyambuya, expressed his disappointment at the absence of Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, as well as a significant number of Cabinet ministers and their deputies.
The Q&A session is a cornerstone of parliamentary business, allowing citizens to receive answers to policy questions from their constituency representatives.
However, the consistent absence of ministers and Vice Presidents has denied citizens vital information about government policies, programs, and projects.
Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, has repeatedly expressed concern over this trend, noting that ministers often provide apologies citing national duty, which he deems suspicious and worthy of investigation.
Mudenda emphasized the importance of ministerial attendance, stating that the absence of ministers erodes public trust in the government.
He also highlighted the Constitutional requirement for ministers to attend Parliament, citing Provisional Section 107, Subsection 2. The Speaker has directed his staff to analyze the ministers’ apologies and has threatened to report absent ministers to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The issue of absenteeism has been ongoing since the previous Parliament, with several MPs raising concerns.
President Mnangagwa has also addressed the issue, warning Cabinet ministers who habitually skip his weekly Cabinet meetings that such delegation would not be tolerated in 2025.
He directed the Chief Secretary to strictly monitor attendance and ensure that errant ministers and officials face dire consequences.
The latest incident has sparked concerns about the commitment of elected officials to transparency and accountability.
With only Primary and Secondary Education minister, Torerai Moyo, and two deputies present in the Upper House, citizens are left wondering about the government’s willingness to be held accountable. As Nyambuya noted, the absence of ministers is “sad” and undermines the democratic process.
In recent years, the two VPs and ministers have evaded the Q&A session, leaving citizens without crucial information. Several important written questions have also been left unanswered since 2024.
The Speaker has listed specific ministers and the number of outstanding questions, including the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, and the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
As the trend continues, citizens are calling for greater accountability from their elected officials. The government must ensure that ministers attend parliamentary sessions and provide answers to policy questions, upholding the principles of transparency and democracy.
-NewZW
