BILL WATCH SPECIAL: [20th November 2010]

There are sometimes last-minute changes to this schedule and it is recommended that you avoid possible disappointment by checking with the relevant committee clerk that the meeting is still on and still open to the public. Parliaments telephone numbers are Harare 700181 or 252936-55. [Names of committee clerks are given below]. If attending, please use the Kwame Nkrumah Ave entrance to Parliament. IDs must be produced.

Monday 22nd November at 10 am – no meetings open to the public

Monday 22nd November at 2 pm

Portfolio Committee: Justice, Legal Affairs, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs

Brief from Advocate Lewis on the General Laws Amendment Bill

Committee Room No. 413

Chairperson: Hon Mwonzora Clerk: Miss Zenda

Tuesday 23rd November at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade

Oral evidence from Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its 2011 Budget proposals

Committee Room No. 3

Chairperson: Hon Mukanduri Clerk: Mr Chiremba

Thematic Committee: MDGs

Brief from Taskforce Ministries on progress made in achieving MDGs

Government Caucus Room

Chairperson: Hon Chief Mtshane Clerk: Mrs Nyawo

Wednesday 24th November – no meetings open to the public

Thursday 25th November at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Women, Youth, Gender and Community Development

Oral evidence from Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment on its budget bids, programmes and activities for 2011

Committee Room No. 3

Chairperson: Hon Matienga Clerk: Mrs Khumalo

Thursday 25th November at 11 am

Portfolio Committee: Women, Youth, Gender and Community Development

Oral evidence from Ministry of Womens Affairs, Gender and Community Development on its budget bids, programmes and activities for 2011

Committee Room No. 3

Chairperson: Hon Matienga Clerk: Mrs Khumalo

Thematic Committee: Indigenisation and Empowerment

Oral evidence from Ministry of Agriculture and Agribank on implementation of assistance programmes for farmers

Government Caucus Room

Chairperson: Hon Mutsvangwa Clerk: Mr Ratsakatika

Public Attendance at and Participation in Committee Meetings

Open to the public to attend as observers only: Portfolio and thematic committee meetings where oral evidence is being heard. Members of the public can listen but not speak. [As listed above.]

Stakeholders by invitation: At some committee meetings stakeholders [and those who notify Parliament that they consider themselves stakeholders] are invited to make oral or written representations and ask questions. [These meetings will be highlighted in these bulletins.]

Not open to the public: Portfolio and thematic committee meetings in which the committees are doing private business e.g. setting work plans, deliberating on reports and findings, or drafting reports for Parliament, or when the committees make field visits. [Veritas does not list these in these bulletins.]

Public Hearings: When committees call for public hearings, members of the public are free to submit oral or written representations, ask questions and generally participate. [Veritas sends out separate notices of these public hearings.]

Note: Zimbabweans in the Diaspora can send in written submissions by email to clerk@parlzim.gov.zw

Highlights from Last Weeks Meetings

Shabanie Mine Saga: On Monday the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy heard evidence from Mr Mutumwa Mawere on the Government takeover of his SMM company under the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act, including complaints about the role played by Justice Minister Chinamasa. Mr Chinamasa asked the Clerk of Parliament to stop the meeting under the sub judice rule, pointing out there were three current court cases involving the dispute. The Clerks response was that the sub judice rule limited debate in the House of Assembly, not the hearing of testimony by a committee. The committee chairperson said Mr Chinamasa would have a chance to testify before the committee in due course; meanwhile its next meeting on Monday 22nd November will consider Mr Maweres evidence.

Dual Citizenship and Voting Rights for the Diaspora: On Tuesday the Permanent Secretary for Regional Integration and International Trade told the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade that there was a need for the government to come up with a Diaspora policy to enable the country to benefit from the foreign currency generated in the Diaspora. As uncertainty over the issues of dual citizenship and eligibility to vote was deterring investment and economic participation by Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, their concerns should be addressed in the constitution-making exercise.

Veritas makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied.