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VP Mnangagwa

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent–
Government has aligned 159 laws with the new Constitution following its adoption in 2013, and efforts are underway to complete the process, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said. Vice President Mnangagwa, who also oversees the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, told Senators on Thursday that there was no deadline in the alignment of the laws with the new Constitution.

VP Mnangagwa said this while responding to questions in Senate on when Government would ensure that all laws were aligned with the Constitution before another election.

“There is no deadline. Out of the 299 statutes in our books, we have so far aligned 159 statutes. We have identified about 200 statutes requiring alignment and out of that number, 159 have been completed and processed through this House, through the General Laws Amendment Bill and other independent statutes,” he said.

“The ones that have not been processed are from line ministries where ministers have not been able to process in time the areas of their concern or mandate. However, with regards to such alignment relating to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the Government or the Executive directly, that has been completed.”

Senator for Bulawayo Province Senator Victor Mapungwana had asked VP Mnangagwa on the deadline for the realignment of a number of amendments to the electoral laws to guarantee the credibility of the 2018 harmonised elections.

Said Sen Mapungwana: “It is now 36 months after the draft Constitution was signed into law, which equates to three years. My question is, what is the time limit or deadline for all outstanding provisions of the Constitution to be implemented, taking into account that we are left with less than 18 months to go before another general election.”

Zimbabwe adopted a new Constitution in 2013 putting an end to the post-war Lancaster House Constitution that had been used as the country’s supreme law since 1980.

Meanwhile, members of Parliament have congratulated Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe member of the National Assembly Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa on her appointment as chairperson of the Southern Region Caucus at the 2nd Ordinary Session of the 4th Pan African Parliament (PAP) last month, writes our Senior Reporter Zvamiada Murwira.

The MPs showered Cde Mnangagwa with praises on Tuesday when presented an African Union election observer mission report on Congo-Brazzaville presidential elections held in March this year. Cde Mnangagwa took over from Zambia’s Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa as his country prepared for its own elections.

The Southern African Regional Caucus comprises countries in the SADC region. Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Cde Melody Dziva echoed sentiments by several legislators who had earlier on conveyed their messages during the debate.

“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Hon A. Mnangagwa for the position that she has ascended to in the Pan African Parliament. You represented the Zimbabwean woman and the Zimbabwean children. Well done, you have raised our flag high,” said Cde Dziva.

Kuwadzana East Mr Mr Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) said Cde Mnangagwa’s elevation was an indictment of how much Africa valued Zimbabwe. “Congratulations on your election. Your upliftment is also a plus or a feather in the cap of Zimbabwe, you are raising the flag high, we thank you for that,” said Mr Chamisa.

Zaka North MP Cde Robson Mavenyengwa (Zanu-PF) also weighed in with a similar message. “First and foremost, I am grateful for Hon Mnangagwa’s appointment. It shows that women are raising our flag high and that the equality of men and women is now coming into play,” said Cde Mavenyengwa.

Mufakose MP Mr Paurina Mpariwa (MDC-T) said Zimbabwewas proud of her appointment. In her contribution, Cde Mnangagwa said the elections were held in a free and fair environment and the incumbent president Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Congolese Labour Party won the election with 867 179, representing 60 percent of the total votes beating eight other contestants.

“On the eve of the election, I was invited by His Excellency, President Denis Sassou Nguesso, together with several ambassadors who represented their respective countries to meet His Excellency at his palace. When it was my turn to exchange greetings with His Excellency, I conveyed a message of solidarity from His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde R. G. Mugabe, who wished His Excellency President Denis Sassou Nguesso good health and resounding success in the election,” said Cde Mnangagwa.

During debate legislators called on losing candidates to accept election results as was the case in Congo-Brazzaville. They said there was a tendency in some countries like Zimbabwe for losing candidates and political parties to reject election results.