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Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter

President Mnangagwa will deliver his annual State of the Nation Address on October 7, 2021 when he opens the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament and sets the Government’s legislative agenda for the coming session.

The President will address a joint sitting of both the National Assembly and Senate in which legislators will follow proceedings both physically and virtually. Both the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Senate President Mabel Chinomona made the announcement in their two respective Chambers last Thursday before adjourning Parliament.

Addressing of Parliament by the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is consistent with Section 140 of the Constitution.

It reads as follows: “The President may at any time address either House of Parliament or a joint sitting of both Houses.”

In an interview yesterday, Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda said the President will address Parliament on national issues such as implementation of the National Development Strategy 1.

“The Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament will be officially opened on October 7, 2021. We expect traditional activities to be held. The President will address Parliament where he will set the legislative agenda for the coming 12 months. He will also deliver a State of the Nation Address where he will focus on important national issues such as the NDS1,” said Mr Chokuda.

The Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has embarked on several infrastructural developments that include road rehabilitation across the country under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme that has transformed significantly the road infrastructure that had deteriorated owing to heavy rains and neglect over the years.