Zimbabwe Parliament closed due to COVID 19

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By Zimbabwe Observer Reporter

The parliament of Zimbabwe has been closed indefinitely after two members who have been out on an outreach program tested positive to Covid 19.

Clerk of Parliament, Kenneth Chokuda, sent out an email today advising MPs of the immediate closure of business. “This serves to advise all Members of Parliament that the business of Parliament, including sittings of Houses, Committee workshops, public hearings and site visits, has been suspended with immediate effect to a date to be advised. This has been necessitated, regrettably, by the fact that two Members of Parliament have tested positive for COVID-19 while on official duty,” reads part of the announcement.

The two were in a team conducting field visits around the country. A driver and a journalist also contracted the virus.

The building will undergo a deep-cleaning and disinfection exercise during the closed period in order to guarantee the safety of Members, staff and members of the public who interface with the institution. “Members of the National Assembly who are still in their constituencies are advised to remain there until further notice,” says the statement.

This followed barely a week after Norton MP Themba Mliswa stopped attending parliament citing fear to contract COVID 19 as one of the reasons. In a letter to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, dated 21 July, Mliswa said his absence from Parliament was due to the alarming high rise in the number of positive Coronavirus cases.

“My absence from Parliament is as a result of the alarming high rise in the number of positive Coronavirus cases recorded as well as a very tight programme in the Constituency as a result.” Mliswa requested all members of Parliament to test for COVID 19 and disclose the results in order to make it safe to be in parliament.

“Unfortunately until all Members of Parliament have been tested and their results are known, it poses a great personal risk to attend Parliament accordingly,” said Mliswa.