Zanu PF accelerates Senate plans

Zanu PF accelerates Senate plans

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S ruling Zanu PF party has proposed the establishment of a Senate "as soon as possible."

After winning the required two thirds majority to effect constitutional changes last March, the government put in motion plans for the 65-member Senate.

Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa has revealed that Zanu PF's 162nd extraordinary session of the Central Committee approved the plans for the Senate last Friday.

"It was agreed that there must be a Senate of 65 members of which 50 members will be elected from the country’s 10 provinces, with five senators being elected in each of the provinces," Mutasa told the official Herald newspaper.

"A total of eight chiefs will also be elected into the Senate by the Chief’s Council while the president of the Chief’s Council and his deputy automatically become senators," he said.

President Robert Mugabe, according to Mutasa, will have the power to appoint five Senators from "special interests groups such as farmers". The governors of Harare and Bulawayo will automatically become senators.

Senators should be aged 40 and above, according to Zanu PF recommendations.

SENATE PLANS

8 Chiefs + 2 governors for Bulawayo and Harare

5 appointed by Mugabe

50 elected from the country's 10 provinces, 5 from each province

TOTAL SEATS: 65

Mugabe's opponents say the Senate is a costly adventure, and a backdoor entrance for some of his lieutenants who failed to win parliamentary seats last March.

Recently, Mugabe announced an enlarged Cabinet despite a worsening economic situation in the country. Economic commentators warn the government will further strain the economy if the Senate is brought into existence in the present economic situation.

However, Mugabe defended the Senate plans last week. He said the bicameral legislative system had been abolished soon after independence from white minority rule in 1980 because it was felt that a young nation would be better served by a faster law-making parliamentary system.

"We accordingly abolished the Upper House and remained with only the National Assembly, the arrangement we have had to this day. We now seek to re-establish the Senate," Mugabe said.

It is expected a Bill for the setting up of a Senate will be introduced in the next session of Parliament which begins later this month.
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