Published: 03 September 2013

The 270 National Assembly members were today sworn in at Parliament of Zimbabwe during a ceremony that also saw the swearing in of new Speaker of Parliament Mr Jacob Mudenda and his deputy Mrs Mabel Chinomona.

The Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma swore in the National Assembly members while Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku swore in the speaker and his deputy.

Mr Mudenda and Mrs Chinomona were elected to represent Zanu-PF in their new roles yesterday during a Zanu PF caucus that was held at the party's headquarters.

The 270 members are made of 197 members from Zanu-PF, which won the 2013 harmonised elections emphatically, followed by 70 from the MDC-T, two from MDC and one independent.

The swearing in of the National Assembly members is expected to be followed by that of senators.

Outgoing Senate President Mrs Edna Madzongwe is expected to retain her post while Mr Chen Chimutengwende is expected to be sworn in as her deputy.

In Senate, Zanu-PF landed 37 seats to the MDC-T's 21, with the MDC coming in with two.

The swearing in of Members of Parliament will pave way for the announcement of a new Cabinet.

In his acceptance speech Mr Mudenda promised to perform according to electorate's expectations.

He added that he would guarantee freedom of speech but within the rules set out by the House.

"The chamber is not a chamber for assaulting or shouting out obscenities," he said.

He said the House should not be a rubber stamping body although it should respect the three arms of the State.
- herald

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