MPs have a constitutional obligation to perform an oversight role in the executive arm of government. They also have a legislative mandate in which they pass proposed bills into law as well as representing the people in their constituencies.
Shamu summoned
Controversial laws which legislators want done away with are mostly administered by the Media and Home Affairs ministries headed by Zanu (PF)’s Webster Shamu and co-ministers Kembo Mohadi (Zanu (PF)) and Theresa Makone (MDC-T).
MDC-T Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya, who is also the Chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on media, information and publicity, told The Zimbabwean that his team had formally summoned Shamu and expect him to appear before the MPs on Friday.
He said laws that the MPs want to see either revoked or amended include the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Interception of Communications Act, Entertainment Control Act, Broadcasting Services Act, Official Secrets Act and the Public Order and Security Act administered by the Home Affairs ministry.
AIPPA restricts journalists from publishing “private” matters such as the president’s health, defence and state security issues while ICA gives police or CIO members permission to spy on communications of citizens deemed national threats. OSA also prohibits the media from publishing issues discussed in cabinet without the president’s authorisation while POSA has been used to ban political gatherings for opponents of Zanu (PF).
“We gave Shamu two weeks notice and so we expect him on Friday. What we want to see are repeals or extensive amendments to the pieces of legislation. Though political parties are pushing their own corner, ours is a constitutional role to see reforms made.
“In any democratic country, there is media freedom and people meet and gather as and when they wish. Therefore laws like AIPPA, OSA and ICA, which provide for the toungue-tying of journalists, should be thrown away.
ZBC defiance
“Now that the new constitution has been passed, we are saying ministers involved with those laws have taken too long to realign the pieces of legislation with the new dispensation. Parliament should know why and also be informed about what is being done,” said Chikwinya.
He also reiterated that ZBC should have started four hours of coverage a day for all political parties in the country since the day President Robert Mugabe proclaimed the July 31 election date. Chikwinya said the defiance by ZBC should be explained.
“Other parliamentary committees that deal with Home Affairs issues and other ministries have summoned their respective ministers,” said Chikwinya.
Post published in: News