The Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, has unveiled new parliamentary committee appointments and leadership changes in Parliament, cementing the complete take over of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) opposition under the leadership of Sengezo Tshabangu.
Tshabangu is known for recalling several elected representatives from Parliament and councils across the country after last year’s national elections, as well as engaging in multiple legal battles with former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa and the recalled officials.
Despite some reservations from CCC members who claimed the opposition party did not meet to discuss the changes, Mudenda ordered them to be quiet and follow proceedings.
Addressing parliamentarians on Thursday, the Speaker announced changes in the leadership deployment of CCC party members in Parliament.
As he was doing so, CCC member Charlton Hwende tried to raise a point of order, but the Speaker blocked him.
The exchange at the National Assembly, as captured by The Hansard went as follows:
“Hwende: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker Sir.
The Speaker: There is no point of order. I am making the announcement.
Hwende: But why?
The Speaker: Can you sit down!
Hwende: The CCC has…
The Speaker: Can you sit down!
Hwende: No, no, but you cannot say that there was a meeting of CCC. CCC never met…
The Speaker: Can you please sit down!”
After this, Mudenda proceeded to announce Lynette Karenyi-Kore, one of the CCC Vice Presidents, as leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.
The Speaker said Tshabangu was now the leader of the opposition in the Senate and overall leader of the Opposition in Parliament, an announcement that was met with some interruptions.
Mudenda proceeded to announce Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa as the Chief Whip in the Senate and Senator Sesel Zvidzai as the Deputy Chief Whip in the Senate.
In the National Assembly, the Speaker announced Edwin Mushoriwa as the Chief Whip and Bridget Nyandoro as the Deputy Chief Whip.
Mudenda said Sichelesile Mahlangu and Senator Kucaca Phulu would be members of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.
“Otilia Sibanda will be the Deputy Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Concilia Chinanzvavana the Organiser for the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus; Juliana Makuvire becomes a Member of the Executive Committee in the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Executive.”
The Speaker also declared that Susan Matsunga will be the Member of the Africa Parliamentary Union Delegation while Tshabangu and Maureen Kademaunga will be members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Delegation.
“Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa will be a Member of the ACPSES-EU Delegation; Happymore Chidziva, a Member of the Pan-African Parliament Delegation; Karenyi-Kore a Member of the SADC PF Delegation; and Maggie Ngwenya, a Member of the ACCSCA Delegation,” Mudenda said.
The Speaker announced that in terms of Standing Order No. 19 (3), several appointments were made to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, Chairpersons, Delegates to the Women’s Caucus, and International Parliamentary Statutory Bodies from the CCC Party.
The Speaker announced that Josiah Makombe goes to the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care, Vincent Sihlabo to the Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development, and Vusumuzi Moyo to the Portfolio Committee on Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.
Hwende will serve in the Public Accounts Committee, and Caston Matewu heads to the Portfolio Committee on Media, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
Minenhle Gumede will remain in the Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, including Joanna Mamombe in the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate, Wildlife, and Tourism.
The Speaker also assigned Agency Gumbo and Senator Kucaca Phulu to serve on the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
