Pass laws which spur prosperity of people – Mudenda

Harare (New Ziana) – Parliament should pass laws which support the prosperity Zimbabweans, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda said on Monday.

Addressing lawmakers at an induction seminar to capacitate them ahead of the re-opening of the legislature following general elections in August, Mudenda said Members of Parliament should be mindful that the measure of their success will not be solely in the laws passed or the policies we shape, but in the tangible prosperity of the people.

“Our commitment to their welfare and the preservation of our democratic ideals will be the true testimony of our honourable service. We must, therefore, rise to this historic call to duty, united in purpose and dedicated to a Zimbabwe that shines brighter with each passing day. This August House should ensure that law is an instrument for development,” he said.

He urged the MPs to exhibit a genuine love for Zimbabwe.

“The way we talk, walk, eat, engage with others and whatever we do at all times must reflect that venerable recognition and respect of being Honourable. How we conduct ourselves from now on and for the rest of our tenure in the 10th Parliament will determine whether or not we are deserving of the title “Honourable”,” Mudenda said.

He urged the lawmakers to interrogate and debate before enacting laws.

“Section 130 of the Constitution serves as a poignant reminder that the power to shape our nation’s destiny rests in the hands of those who serve in Parliament, a responsibility to be exercised with wisdom, diligence and an enduring dedication to the common good. More critically, this provision ensures that Parliament is not merely a rubber-stamping institution but a vibrant and dynamic forum where legislative Parliamentary processes are rigorously interrogated, debated and refined before enactment into law,” he said.

He said the induction seminar should empower MPs to contribute towards the upcoming 2024 national budget.
“Hon Members, you have just come in at the beginning of the Budget cycle. I hope this seminar will capacitate you to be active participants during the imminent National Budget process. Start sharpening your economic literacy skills now,” he said.

Mudenda mocked some MPs in the previous Parliament who never uttered anything for the whole five- year duration.
“Implicitly, Members of Parliament are warned not to be MISSING PERSONS (MPs) but real active Members of Parliament – the Honourable ones!

“Missing Persons, another acronym for Member of Parliament. In the past, quite a number of Members of Parliament were missing persons; they never questioned or proffered any questions whether orally or in writing. They remained mute for five years but the real active Members of Parliament, the honourable ones are really what we must call MPs,” he said.

New Ziana