“Time for Delays Is Over”: Mnangagwa Presses Parliament to Expedite Lawmaking

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Parliament to urgently fast-track the passage of outstanding Bills, warning that delays in law-making are stalling Zimbabwe’s development and eroding public confidence.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during his State of the Nation Address at the official opening of the Third Session of the 10th Parliament, held at the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.

“The importance of the timeous discharge of legislative duties reposed in Parliament cannot be overemphasised.

“Parliament is reminded that laws passed by this August House carry the hopes and aspirations of our people and consist of central policies for implementation by the Executive.

“It is, therefore, critically important that the law-making processes be expedited for the efficient operation of the State apparatus,” he said.

Mnangagwa highlighted a backlog of Bills from previous sessions that remain unresolved.

These include the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, Public Service Amendment Bill, State Service Pension Bill, Pipelines Amendment Bill, Persons with Disabilities Bill, and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Bill.

Also pending are amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act, Insurance and Pensions Act, and the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act.

He also noted that several Bills announced during the Second Session have yet to be tabled.

These include the Teaching Professions Council Bill, Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill, Standards Bill, Biological Warfare Bill, Legal Practitioners Amendment Bill, and the Rural Electrification Fund Amendment Bill.

“The total backlog of outstanding Bills is unacceptable. I challenge this August House to do more to ensure that these Bills are brought before Parliament and finalised,” said the President.

Looking ahead, Mnangagwa outlined a new legislative agenda for the Third Session.

In industry and commerce, the National Productivity Institute Bill will establish a body to drive productivity across sectors.

Amendments are planned for the Iron and Steel Industry Act and the Sugar Production Control Act.

To protect consumers, changes to the Competition Act and the Commercial Premises (Lease Control) Act are being finalised.

In higher and tertiary education, Government is developing a framework to commercialise innovations from university-based hubs.

The Research Act will be amended to support sustainable funding for local innovation and reduce reliance on imported technologies.

Transport, devolution, and local governance will also see new Bills introduced.

“Equally, Bills that relate to the devolution and decentralisation agenda, as well as the broader local governance arena, will be presented before this esteemed body,” he said.

To strengthen disaster preparedness, the Civil Protection Act will be repealed and replaced with the Disaster Risk Management Bill.

Other Bills to be considered include the Zimbabwe Media Commission Amendment Bill, Meteorological Services Amendment Bill, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Bill, Sport, Leisure and Recreation Bill, Sports Integrity Bill, and the National Languages Bill.

Amendments will also be made to the Veterans of the Liberation Act, National Heroes Act, and War Victims Compensation Act.

The Police Amendment Bill, which lapsed with the dissolution of the 9th Parliament, is set to be reintroduced.

Mnangagwa also called for amendments to laws under the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the Unlawful Organisations Act, Official Secrets Act, National Archives of Zimbabwe Act, Censorship and Entertainments Control Act, Lotteries and Gaming Act, Citizenship Act, and the Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act.

In line with Zimbabwe’s constitutional mandate to safeguard sovereignty and contribute to global peace, the Ministry of Defence will table the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Arms Trade Treaty, the Red Cross Amendment Bill, and the Defence Amendment Bill.

According to Chronicle , the President also announced that several international protocols and treaties will be brought before Parliament for ratification.

These include the Protocol Amending the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, the Lisbon Treaty to the Geneva Act on Appellations of Origin, and the Hague Agreement on Industrial Designs.

Additional protocols on migrant smuggling and firearm trafficking will also be tabled.

Mnangagwa concluded by commending lawmakers for their service and urged them to remain close to the communities they represent.

“Through your wholehearted service and representation of the grassroots communities, you all continue to consolidate our people-centred and participatory governance.

“As we keep marching towards Vision 2030, let us remain close to the people, in good times and throughout the seasons of challenges,” he said.