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Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
Parliament has signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela) and the Zimbabwe Peace and Security Trust (ZPST) to capacitate legislators on legislation to do with natural resources and security, respectively.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said the MoUs would go a long way in making the legislature efficient in exercising its mandate.

“It is my fervent hope that these MoUs will contribute towards assisting the institution meet some of its targets as outlined in the strategic plan, particularly the goal in improving the capacity of Members of Parliament to exercise oversight with the view to impacting on service delivery by state institutions,” said Adv Mudenda.

He implored the Environmental Law Association to capacitate legislators so that they could effectively scrutinise the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill and the Minerals Exploration Bill when brought before Parliament.

Adv Mudenda hailed the two institutions for funding some of Parliament’s activities like capacity-building workshops.

ZPST board chairperson Mr Sobusa-Gula Ndebele said his organisation was ready to work with Parliament in executing its mandate.

He said the acceptance by Parliament to work with ZPST had removed previous perceptions that they were pursuing a regime-change agenda.

“It is about developing institutions of democracy and not about individuals. Parliament is the key custodian of democracy. We are grateful for the co-operation.

“Acceptance by Parliament has enabled this to be a Zimbabwean process because generally, you would find security sector reforms being imposed on countries,” he said.