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Herald Reporter
Parliament last Thursday approved a motion moved by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Fortune Chasi, to invite President Mugabe to officially open the Second Session of the Eight Parliament following its pending expiry next week. Deputy Minister Chasi said while the previous Constitution provided that the President officially open Parliament, it was prudent to maintain that convention despite it not being provided for in the current Constitution.
This, said Deputy Minister Chasi, would enable the President to provide Parliament with a legislative agenda.

The motion allows the Speaker of the National Assembly, Cde Jacob Mudenda, and Senate President Cde Edna Madzongwe to invite the President to officially open Parliament on a convenient date.

Deputy Minister Chasi said inviting the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to officially open Parliament did not in any way breach the new Constitution.

He was responding to comments made by Southerton MP Mr Gift Chimanikire, who wanted to know if Government was seeking to amend the Constitution.