Harare (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday toured the new Parliament building in Mt Hampden, describing it as a majestic and landmark piece of work.

President Mnangagwa thanked President Xi Jinping for the new building which the Chinese government built as a gift to Zimbabwe.

He said the new six storey building, which is now complete and ready for occupation, would be commissioned soon.

“We remain grateful to the people and Government of the People’s Republic of China, and His Excellency, President Xi Jinping for the grant that enabled the construction of the majestic and landmark infrastructure,” he said.

“It was in April 2018 when I was invited by President Xi Jinping to visit China, and besides various projects which we had negotiated between the government of Zimbabwe and the government of the People’s Republic of China, President Xi Jinping asked what I would want and he would grant it at a political level without going through negotiations but as a political decision.

“Of course, being a former speaker of Parliament myself, I was fully aware about the inadequacy of the current Parliament so I said can you give me a Parliament? He said granted, we will give it to you as a grant. It is one of the most magnificent Parliament on this continent, fully furnished by the Chinese.”

The new building, which comprises four floors on the Parliament side and six floors on the office building side, encompasses a Chamber House containing the 250 seat National Assembly and 100 seat Senate.

Initially the government had intended to locate the new Parliament building in the Kopje area but concerns over parking space saw the site being moved to Mount Hampden, where a new city will also take shape, as many companies are expected to relocate there to avoid the congestion that has characterised the Central Business District.
New Ziana