VP Chiwenga's Absence Infuriates Opposition MPs
Opposition Members of Parliament have expressed frustration over Vice President and Health Minister, Constantino Chiwenga and other Cabinet Ministers’ absence from Parliament.
During the question and answer session on Wednesday, the MPs said various issues have not been addressed due to the absences.
CCC secretary-general Charlton Hwende (Kuwadzana East) told the National Assembly that he was yet to see Chiwenga in the August House since March. He said:
I need clarity regarding the Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga, since I was elected as a Member of Parliament in March, I have never seen him in this House.
We have a lot of issues that we want to ask him concerning the health of the nation.
Since March, now we are in October, our term of office is going to expire before we even meet him.
My question is: is he still the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care or he is now out of office?
In response, Deputy National Assembly Speaker, Tsitsi Gezi said Chiwenga still held both his posts. She said:
I would like to inform you that the Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care is still in office.
Rusty Markham (Harare North), also expressed his disappointment over Cabinet Ministers’ failure to attend Wednesday’s session. He said:
Only a handful of apologies were read out but I can only see one Honourable Minister in this House and I would like to make that point of clarity for the people on Zoom that the only Honourable Minister attending is the Minister of Transport and the media as well should understand that on the apologies that have come in, there is an assumption that they are in the House, but there is only one Honourable Minister in the House today.
On Wednesday, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi came for Parliament business.
Only a few Cabinet ministers excused themselves, but still, the rest did not turn up. | NewZimbabwe.com
