TYPE OF COMMITTEES

House-keeping Committees.


Housekeeping Committees generally are concerned with the smooth administration of Parliament. The main House-keeping Committees are;

 

  • The Standing Rules and Orders Committee (SROC)
    The SROC is the policy making body at Parliament. It is mandated to consider all such matters concerning Parliament, as it deems fit. Such matters include inter-alia, appointment of Members to serve on Committees, appointment of Committee Chairpersons, determining the conditions of service of staff of Parliament and appointment of staff of Parliament.

    The SROC is made up of the Speaker of the House of Assembly(Chairperson), President of the Senate(Deputy Chairperson), Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Deputy President of the Senate, members nominated by President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Assembly and other members who are elected by both Houses. The guiding principle for the composition of the SROC is that the number of elected members should be greater than that of the appointed members.
  • Business of The House/ Senate Committee
    Each House has its own Business of the House Committee. In the Senate it is established by S.O 155 and in the House of Assembly is established in terms of SO 162. This Committee among other functions, determines the sitting calendar of either House prior to the commencement of the next session.
  • Liaison and Coordination Committee.
    The Committee comprises of all Committee Chairpersons, Party Whips and their Deputies, the Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson of the Women's Caucus. The Committee is responsible for coordinating the scheduling of all Committee business and it is the custodian of Parliamentary reforms.
  • The Library Committee
    The Committee advises the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Assembly on matters relating to the policy, conduct and management of the Library of Parliament. The Deputy Speaker and Deputy President of the Senate are the ex office Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, respectively, of the Committee.
  • Internal Arrangements Committee
    The committee makes recommendations to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Assembly on matters concerning the facilities and amenities of the members. The Deputy President of the Senate and Deputy Speaker are the ex-office Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee respectively.

 

Investigative Committees.
Examples of investigative Committees include Portfolio Committees, Thematic Committees, the Public Accounts Committee and Ad Hoc Committees.

 

  1. Portfolio Committees.
    These are Committees designated according to government portfolios to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of government departments and other matters falling under their jurisdictions as Parliament may by resolution determine. Most of the work of Parliament is carried out by and generated in Portfolio Committees. Portfolio Committees are expected to table at least one report per session in Parliament covering their activities. Portfolio Committees perform both a pre-audit and post-audit function.

    Currently, the House of Assembly has 19 Portfolio Committees which are fully operational, an increase of 7 committees when compared to the Sixth Parliament which had 12 Portfolio Committees. The Committees are as follows:-


  2. Thematic Committees
    These are newly introduced Committees that are provided for in the Senate Standing Orders. They were conceived with the reintroduction of a bicameral Parliament with the view to eradicating duplication of efforts between Committees of both Houses. Thematic Committees are mandated to examine government policies that fall under or relate to the designated theme or themes, or any other matters falling under their jurisdiction as the Standing Rules and Orders Committee may determine.

    The following six Thematic Committees are operational.

    HIV/AIDS- Committee Clerk
    Hon. D Khumalo (chairperson)
    Clerk- Mrs Khumalo
    Hon. Chabuka K, Hon Chimbudzi A,Chief Chitanga,Hon Dube G.T. ,Hon. Dube J.Z.,Hon Dube K,Hon. Femai M.,Hon. Hungwe J.D.,Hon. Kabayanjiri O.,Hon. Komichi,Hon Mandava M.I.N.,Hon Manyeruke J.,Hon. Mbambo  ,Hon Mohadi T.B.,Hon Muchihwa,Hon Ncube S.,Hon. Chief Nebiri,Hon. Chief Ngungumbane,Hon Sakupwanya S.U.,Hon Sinampande H.


    GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT
    Hon. E. Chitsa (Chairperson)
    Clerk- Ms Masara
    Hon Chibagu G.,Hon. Chief Chiduku,Hon. Dube J.,Hon Gaule ,Hon Jacob E,Hon Komichi M.,Hon Katyamaenza V,Hon. Chief Mabika,Hon. Chief Masendu,Hon Mabhiza G.,Hon Masaba J.,Hon Mlotshwa S.,Hon Mutingwende T.,Hon. Chief Nembire,Hon Sakupwanya S.U. ,Hon. Chief Shana J.Z.,Hon Sibanda A.,Hon Sinampande H.


    MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs)
    Hon. Chief Mtshane (Chairperson),
    Clerk- Mrs Nyawo
    Hon Chibagu G.,Hon. Chief Chisunga,Hon Chitaka P.,Hon Dete A.A.,Hon. Chief Chitanga,Hon. Chief Dandawa,Hon Dube J.,Hon Dube K.,Hon Mandava M.I.N.,Hon Masaba Hon. Chief Masendu,Hon. Mbambo,Hon Mlotshwa S.,Hon Mumvuri D.D.E. Hon. Chief Nebiri,Hon. Chief Ngungumbane,Hon. Chief Nyamukoho,Hon Rugara,Hon. Chief Shana


    PEACE AND SECURITY
    Hon. D. Mumvuri (Chairperson)
    Clerk- Ms Zenda
    Hon Chabuka,Hon. Chief Charumbira,Hon. Chief Chiduku,Hon Chimbudzi A.,Hon Chitaka P.,Hon. Chief Dandawa,Hon Dube G.T.,Hon. Chief Gampu Sithole,Hon Gaule B.,Hon. Jacob E,Hon Makuyana C.,Hon Mohadi T.B.,Hon. Chief Musarurwa,Hon Ncube S.,Hon. Chief Ntabeni,Hon Rugara K.,Hon Sibanda A.

    INDEGENISATION AND EMPOWERMENT
    Hon. M. Mutsvangwa (Chairperson)
    Clerk- Mr Ratsakatika
    Hon Chief Chisunga,Hon. Chief Dandawa,Hon Dete A.A.,Hon. Hon. Chief Gampu Sithole,Hon Hlalo M.M.,Hon Kabayanjiri O.,Hon. Chief Mabika,Hon Mabhiza G.,Hon Makamure E.K.,Hon. Makunde T.,Hon. Makuyana C.,Hon. Marava M.,Hon Muchihwa,Hon. Mutingwende,Hon. Chief Musarurwa,Hon. Chief Nyamukoho


    HUMAN RIGHTS
    Hon. Marava (Chairperson)
    Clerk- Ms Macheza
    Hon. Chief Charumbira,Hon. Chitsa E.,Hon. Hungwe J.D,Hon. Katyamaenza V.,Hon. Khumalo D.,Hon. Makamure E.K.,Hon. Makore J,Hon. Manyeruke J., Hon. Muchenje V.,Hon. Chief Mtshane,Hon. Mutsvangwa M.,Hon. Muzerengwa T.S.,Hon. Chief Ntabeni,Hon. Chief Nembire,Hon. Rimbi J.M.,Hon. Sakupwanya S.U.

  3. Adhoc Committees
    These are another type of investigative Committees. They are appointed to investigate and report on a specific issue and they cease to exist once they have reported to the House on the  subject matter they have been appointed to examine. A good example is the Privileges Committee which is appointed to investigate allegations of breach of privilege.

  4. Public Accounts Committee
    This is an example of a post audit Committee in the Parliament of Zimbabwe. It is mandated to examine the financial affairs and accounts of Government Departments and state owned enterprises. It also examines all reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Committee also fulfills the oversight function of Parliament by looking at the financial accounts of Departments funded from public funds.

  5. Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC)
    This is the only specialized Committee appointed in terms of the Constitution and the Standing Orders and whose members are appointed for the life of a Parliament. The Committee is appointed in terms of Section 40A of the Constitution and Standing Orders193 (1) and 199 (1) of the Senate and House of Assembly respectively. Section 40 A (2) of the Constitution states that the Committee shall comprise of at least three members and the majority whom must be legally qualified.

    The Committee is mandated to examine the constitutionality of every Bill, draft Bill, Statutory Instrument, draft Statutory Instrument, amendment to a Bill, or amendment to a Statutory Instrument. It also ensures that no Statutory Instrument makes the rights and liberties of persons unduly dependent upon administrative decisions, which are not subject to review by judicial tribunal nor change an Act of Parliament.


    Membership of the PLC

    Hon. Shepherd Mushonga (Chairperson)

    Committee Clerk: Mr. Mapendere

    Hon. Innocent Tinashe Gonese, Hon. Beatrice B. Nyamupinga, Hon. Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana,Hon. Thandeka Mnkandhla

    Questions/Clarifications on Committee Business, you can contact;

    Gandiwa Johane, Assistant Clerk of Parliament

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