President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on the 10th Parliament to prioritise the finalisation of the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill, along with other outstanding legislation from previous sessions.
The government introduced the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Bill in November 2021, aiming to “counter-terrorism and prohibit political lobbying by non-governmental organizations.”
However, critics argue that the Bill seeks to limit the operations of NGOs in the country and constrict the civic space.
During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the opening of the Second Session of the 10th Parliament on Wednesday, October 2, Mnangagwa stressed the need to expedite the enactment of all Bills pending from previous parliamentary sessions. He said:
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Parliament has an obligation to expedite the enactment of all Bills that, for one reason or another, are outstanding from previous Sessions of the August House.
The list includes Bills relating to: Persons with Disabilities; Administration of Estates Amendment; Civil Aviation Amendment; Death Penalty Abolition; Parks and Wildlife Amendment; Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment; and Mines and Minerals Amendment.
Others are the Medical Services Amendment; and the Insurance and Pensions Amendment. The second category comprises Bills that came to light since my last address, but which Ministries never forwarded to Parliament.
I also challenge Parliamentary Portfolio Committees to be seized with the business of Bills that fall under their respective purviews. All concerned parties must address these anomalies for the collective good of our nation.
As the transformation of the education sector gathers momentum, the introduction of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Bill is expected to enhance the efficiency and good corporate governance of the ZIMSEC Board.
Likewise, the Teaching Professions Council Bill will regulate the conditions of service and produce a code of conduct for all teachers.
Occupational health and safety is critical for the attainment of Vision 2030. The Occupational Safety and Health Bill should be expedited to further align with International Conventions, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.
Other Bills due to be considered by this Session include the State Service Pensions Bill establishing the State Service Pensions Fund, while the Public Service Act will be amended to align with the Constitution. The Rural Electrification Fund Act; the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act and the Pipelines Act, will also be amended to be in sync with present realities associated with the growth of the economy.
The Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill will harmonise the administrative functions of the Judiciary and the Executive in the registration process for foreign legal practitioners.
To enhance the fight against the scourge of corruption, the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistle Blowers) Bill, must sail through this Session. Electronic transactions are expanding at a phenomenal pace, as technology evolves.
The drafting of the Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill should be speeded up, towards promoting legal certainty and affordability for electronic transactions.
Additional Bills include: the Standards Bill; the Legal Metrology Bill; the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill and the Media Practitioners Bill.
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants the Parliament to finish important Bills that are waiting, like the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill. Some people think this Bill is bad because it can limit what NGOs can do. Mnangagwa said other Bills, like ones about education and safety, should also be done quickly. He wants the Parliament to work together to make sure everything is done for the good of the country. They need to pass Bills about pensions, corruption, electronic transactions, and more. Mnangagwa wants everything to be ready so the country can grow and get better.

Mnangagwa Urges 10th Parliament To Finalise Pending Bills

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is today set to open the Second Session of the 10th Parliament, where he will outline the legislative agenda for the upcoming period from October 2024 to October 2025.
The President will also deliver the State of the Nation Address to a joint session of the National Assembly and Senate.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/president-addresses-nation-today-poised-to-outline-legislative-agenda/">The Herald</a> on Tuesday, Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda said that several bills, including the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, will be part of the legislative agenda. Said Chokuda:
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The State of the Nation Address and the official opening of Parliament is a requirement in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and as a requirement of the Constitution, the Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Senate have made the duly necessary arrangements for His Excellency, the President to address Parliament tomorrow (today).
Our expectation, as usual, is that His Excellency, the President will lay out the legislative agenda for the incoming session from October 2024 to October 2025.
And, basically, that will outline the issues that Parliament would be faced with during that session and that will include some Bills that are currently before Parliament that will need to be rolled over to the next session and any other new legislation that the President will outline.
There are some Bills that we believe will be rolled over into the next Session of Parliament.
I know for a fact that we have the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill which has been referred back to Parliament.
It has now been brought back and has been submitted to Parliament so we are now ready to gazette it at any time, so definitely that one should be one of the Bills that will be coming to Parliament.
We also have several others that are still being attended to by the ministries so, yes there will be quite several Bills that will be rolled over.
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Chokuda said the recently concluded session was the first for the 10th Parliament, where everyone was learning the ropes, adding that Parliament made efforts to equip its members for their roles and is committed to working diligently to pass legislation.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

President Mnangagwa will speak today to open the new session of Parliament. He will talk about the laws they want to make this year. They will also discuss some bills that were not finished last year. One important bill is about mines and minerals. The Parliament wants to work hard and pass laws to help the country. The last session was a learning time for everyone, but now they are ready to do their best.

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