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Zvamaida Murwira

Senior Reporter

Parliament business has been suspended with immediate effect after two legislators tested positive to Covid-19 upon their return to Harare from a field tour.

A driver and a journalist who were part of the tour have also tested positive.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda yesterday confirmed the suspension of business in remarks on Parliament’s Facebook page.

Adv Mudenda said the two legislators were with a portfolio committee conducting field visits around the country when they developed symptoms of Covid-19.

“Two members were showing some signs of infection,” he said.

“All members were tested and the two members tested positive, plus our driver of the bus and the reporter who had accompanied them.

“Other committees were supposed to travel to the eastern borders. Their trip had to be cancelled.”

In a statement yesterday, Parliament said suspension of business will allow the disinfection of Parliament Building.

“This serves to advise all Members of Parliament that the business of Parliament, including sittings of both Houses, committee workshops, public hearings and site visits, have been suspended with immediate effect to a date to be advised,” it said.

“This has been necessitated, regrettably, by the fact that two Members of Parliament have tested positive for Covid-19 while on official duty.

“The suspension of business will allow us to deep-clean and disinfect the building, while also guaranteeing the safety of members, staff and members of the public who interface with the institution. Members of the National Assembly who are still in their constituencies are advised to remain there until further notice.”

Last week, the portfolio committee on Agriculture, Lands, Water and Resettlement chaired by Gokwe Nembudziya MP, Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena, cancelled a trip to Karoi and Chinhoyi as a precautionary measure.

They intended to visit tobacco auction floors. A visit by The Herald to Parliament Building yesterday showed that most staff members had left.

A few legislators at a time were being allowed to enter the building to pick up their fuel coupons and other belongings.

Most of them had returned from several field visits.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said yesterday that a formal sitting of the National Assembly was planned for today to be attended by a few MPs to adjourn the House.

“Tomorrow’s (today) sitting for the National Assembly will be done with very limited numbers for the sole purpose of adjourning to a future date,” he said.

“There will be deep-cleaning and disinfection of the Parliament Building and contact tracing and testing of those who came into contact with the affected Members of Parliament.”

Those who were travelling with the affected MPs are expected to self-isolate, consistent with the Ministry of Health and Child Care guidelines.