President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed concern over the pace at which parliamentary legislative processes move, calling upon legislators to up the game.
President Mnangagwa said that while officially opening the third session of the ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe on Thursday, which coincided with his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“The second session of the ninth Parliament had 25 bills on its legislative agenda and an additional 15 other bills which were not on the initial agenda,” said President Mnangagwa.
“As at 22 September 2020, a total of 10 of these bills were passed by Parliament. I, therefore, call upon the third session of the ninth Parliament to expedite the completion of processes with regards to all outstanding bills, the enactment of which will help to deepen the ongoing economic reforms as well as entrench constitutionalism and our democratic culture.”
He said to buttress the economic gains made to date and enhance Zimbabwe’s attractiveness as a preferred investment destination as well as the ease of doing business in the country, a number laws would be attended to.
“The Sugar Industry Act will amend the Sugar Industry Production Control Act [Chapter 18; 19],” he said.
“The economic Empowerment Act is set to replace the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act [Chapter 14; 33] which will be repealed. The Competition Act will be amended to align it with regional and international agreements, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.”
The President said given the role of small to medium size enterprises and the informal sector, the Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies Act [Chapter 24; 05] would be amended.
“It is pleasing to note the immense progress made in the mining sector towards the realisation of a US$12 billion mining sector by 2023,” he said.
“Concerted and collaborative efforts must be urgently pursued to conclude the amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act. This will in turn usher in the necessary processes for the amendment of the Precious Stones and Gold Trades Acts.”
