HARARE - Government says it cannot police ministers who are in the habit of avoiding Parliament’s question and answer sessions as it is tantamount to interfering with the work of the legislature by the executive.
Ministers are expected to appear in the august House on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, the leader of government business both in the Upper and Lower chambers told legislators on Tuesday that as the legislative arm of government, they must ensure that ministers attend Parliament in order to answer to policy issues relating to their respective portfolios.
Ronald Muderedza, Zanu PF Buhera Central MP had asked government’s position on Cabinet ministers who abscond the crucial sessions.
“Government has three arms — the executive, judiciary and legislature. Now the honourable member is asking why the executive does not interfere…,” said Mnangagwa before he was interjected by Mabel Chinomona, the acting speaker, who suggested Mnangagwa had not understood the MP’s question.
“I don’t think he wants the executive to interfere but to hear government policy on those that abscond,” Chinomona said.
But Mnangagwa, who is also the minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs maintained that the executive cannot force ministers to attend the sessions.
“I am very clear, he is asking whether there is government policy which resides in the executive but parliamentary procedures reside in the House. So I am completely correct to advise him that the offensive he seeks cannot be done by the executive but Parliament,” he said.
The question and answer sessions present an opportunities for backbenchers (MPs who are not ministers) to ask ministers questions on a number of issues that may be affecting their constituencies or the country at large.