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Farirai Machivenyika and Nyemudzai Kakore, Harare Bureau
The Ninth Parliament should focus on legislation that makes the country an attractive investment destination to achieve the country’s vision of becoming a middle income economy by 2030, legislators who took their oaths of office yesterday said.

Parliamentarians from both the National Assembly and Senate were sworn-in at Parliament before Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity and Senator for Matabeleland South Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said: “The Government is a product of the party and it is the party which lays down the roadmap on how we should perform vis-a-vis the people’s expectations. That also originates from the manifesto that embodies all that the people said and we believe those who are serious about the mandate of the people must fulfil it.”

Cde Khaya Moyo said time to sleep was over. It was time for delivery.

“It is time for less talking, less politicking and for serious delivery. It is time for people to be seen to be working to fulfil people’s expectations in terms of economic emancipation,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

“We must avoid sleeping in Parliament because this is not a place to sleep.They must go somewhere else if they want to sleep. Those who come to snore in Parliament must know that snoring is never on the Order Paper. They must know they are here to fulfil the aspirations of the people. They must not be ‘missing persons’ but members of Parliament,” he said.

Zvimba West legislator and Zanu-PF Mashonaland West chairman Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi said he expected debate to centre on the economy.

“The expectation that we have coming into the ninth Parliament is for a shift towards legislation that will enhance the ease of doing business and the economic development of our country,” he said.

“You can see from the policy pronouncements by His Excellency that he is looking at moving Zimbabwe towards a middle income country by 2030. That can only be done by having a Parliament that enacts legislation and an enabling environment that allows business to thrive.

“So going into the ninth Parliament, my hope and wish is that we have robust debate that will focus on changing those laws that deal with the ease of doing business and ensure that the economic environment is turned around.”

President of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, said Parliament should be at the forefront of tackling corruption.

“The President has outlined a vision to grow the economy, so debate should focus on that and less on politics. However, the economic growth we envisage can only be achieved if we fight corruption robustly,” he said.

Masvingo North legislator Cde Davis Marapira said the life of the ninth Parliament should see the scaling up of the Command Agriculture programme that has benefited thousands of resettled farmers.

Mberengwa West Constituency MP Cde Jorum Gumbo said: “Eighty percent of the members in the ninth Parliament are young, vibrant and have a lot of enthusiasm. I hope that we will see an active Parliament, but this will also come with its challenges with regards to new MPs being able to know the rules of governance,” he said.

“However, we are happy that the new political dispensation is re-engaging with our erstwhile friends culminating in Foreign Direct Investment for the country. We hope that all the promises that the Government made will be achieved. Over the years we have had good policies but lacked funding. But with President Mnangagwa’s mantra that Zimbabwe is open for business, we are going to see a big change.”

Cde Gumbo called on women to uplift each other by voting for professional women to be lawmakers.