SENATORS have expressed frustration over being disrespected by ministers who continue boycotting their sessions and want disciplinary measures taken against them.
On Thursday, only two deputy ministers Caleb Makwiranzou (Mines and Mining Development) and Dingimuzi Phuti (ICT) pitched up in the Senate.
According to Section 107 (2) of the Constitution, vice-presidents, ministers and their deputies must attend Parliament, Senate and parliamentary committees.
Senator Chief Ndiweni said it was high time ministers face sanctions for boycotting the August House.
“So, for us to register our displeasure, we must take action so that our plea can reach the intended people, so that when you failed to come, people were discouraged and they decided to adjourn the House and it will help them to push them to come to the House,” Chief Ndiweni said.
Senator Jericho Gotora said senators must be allowed to go and rest if the ministers boycott their sessions.
“Mr. President, I have reason to register my displeasure because of the treatment we are receiving from ministers,” he said.
“We do not understand why we are sitting here while those who are supposed to work with us do not respect us.
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“Yesterday, they were fully present in the National Assembly chamber, but today they are not here.
“My suggestion, Hon. deputy president of the Senate, may we go and rest like what they are doing?.”
Senator Irene Zindi also complained about ministers undermining the Senate chamber.
“We have done our job and finished, not because of our own will but because the government ministers, with whom we are supposed to discuss and work towards the developmental issues of this country, are not available,” Zindi said.
“This issue or this plea, you as our chair, have spoken about it on several times, that the government ministers, when we have questions concerning the development of the country, do not come.”
Zindi said it was pointless to have deputy ministers as they do not attend Cabinet.
“They are sent and cannot refuse after being sent by their superiors but they do not sit in Cabinet, where most of the issues are discussed,” she said.
The majority of the ministers, and the country’s two vice presidents, Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, sent apologies to the Senate president.
Thursday is traditionally set aside for Senators to question ministers on issues concerning the country but the members of the executive have developed a tendency to abscond without applying for leave of absence.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year also criticised ministers and other top bureaucrats for dodging crucial government meetings, saying the practice was disrupting government work.
Analysts have condemned the ministers’ truancy and said they were wasting taxpayers’ money.
