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President Mnangagwa outlined, on Tuesday, the business of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe; a framework that will ensure that the economic objectives of the Government are achieved.

At least 27 Bills will be up for debate and approval during the session. By and large, the proposed laws are meant to attract investment, promote mining, enhance cyber security and facilitate implementation of Chapter 14 of the Constitution which deals with devolution of power.

Specifically, Parliament will debate and is expected to pass the Companies and Other Entities Bill to overhaul the Companies Act, Regional Town and Country Planning Amendment Bill, Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Bill, the Rural District Councils Bill, Traditional Leaders Bill, Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Bill, Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, Gold Trade Bill and the Precious Stones Trade Bill, which seeks to curb leakages of precious minerals.

Since he assumed power last November, the President has indicated his Government’s commitment to promoting investment to revive the economy. Local and foreign investors, he says, should feel free to put their money in our economy. The environment must be corruption-free while guaranteeing greater certainty and predictability. A new Companies Act should make it easier and faster for an investor to register a company locally, as hassle-free as is the case in Rwanda, Mauritius and other countries with greater business competitiveness.

While campaigning for the July 30 elections that he and his party, Zanu-PF won, the President promised that his new administration would implement the constitutional provision for devolution of power. This will give provinces more autonomy in running their affairs, central government taking the back seat.

This system of government is empowering and gets rid of the view that central government marginalises some areas and favours others.

We acknowledge that Parliament conducts its business independent of the executive that the President heads but it is a justifiable expectation that the second branch of Government will adopt the work ethic that President Mnangagwa has introduced. He works hard; is in his office by 7am daily and knocks off late. He is all action and less in rhetoric. His ministers have taken up that style of work. Civil servants have been told to do the same. We have indeed seen many of our people, even in the private sector adopting this business-as-unusual approach.

Therefore, we hope that Parliament will get down to the business as outlined by the President, judiciously debating the Bills and passing them as fast as possible so that a favourable climate is created to move the country forward.

“The election period is decisively behind us,” he said while officially opening the First Session of Parliament.

“It is time for us, as Members of Parliament and political leaders, to exert our efforts towards delivering on the pledges we made to the electorate. Our people have reposed their trust and confidence in us, with the firm hope that we can bring a positive difference to their livelihoods. It is incumbent upon us all to unite our citizens and galvanise them towards the attainment of economic prosperity and Vision 2030.

As this august House settles down to serious work, I wish to implore all members to always act in the national interest and preach the gospel of peace, love, harmony, tolerance and hard honest work. Let us all, unflinchingly commit to the rebuilding of our nation, as one people, united by one flag and one national anthem. I exhort you all to undertake the legislative task before you as servant leaders, emboldened by the people’s mandate which you each carry. History will judge us harshly, should we renege on the sacrosanct duty to uplift the livelihoods of our people.”

He made nation-building remarks that have become the hallmark of his leadership but it seems some among us have other ideas.

As the President was speaking, MDC Alliance legislators walked out of Parliament. It is unfortunate that we have people who were handed “the sacrosanct duty” by the people only 52 days ago, behaving in this way. What they only achieved by doing this is to waste public funds and show everyone the sort of clowns that they are. We don’t merit leaders like these.

However, we take solace in the fact that the coalition has miniscule representation in Parliament. Their vote — 113 in both houses when indirectly elected legislators are factored in — is inconsequential seen against Zanu-PF’s 231 when indirectly elected legislators and traditional chiefs who are more mature and tend to vote with Zanu-PF on key matters, are added. Zanu-PF has more than enough numbers to make laws, even amend the constitution if the party so decides thus doesn’t need the MDC Alliance vote.

They can, and certainly will, continue with their monkey shines such as the Tuesday walkout and their planned “presidential inauguration” of their leader, Mr Nelson Chamisa. Thankfully everything ends there, as needless theatre while those who have the power to govern, govern.