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Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob F. N. Mudenda is in Cape Town, South Africa to attend the Executive Committee of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum (PF) on 16th and 17th June 2024. The Executive Committee is meeting ahead of the 55th Plenary Assembly Session to be held in Luanda, Angola from 1st to 7th July 2024.
The Executive Committee is meeting following its mandate outlined in Article 12 of the SADC PF Constitution, which enjoins that the “Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management of the affairs of the Forum, giving direction to the Secretariat and ensuring that the decisions of the Plenary Assembly are implemented and shall be answerable to the Plenary Assembly”. Furthermore, Speaker Mudenda’s attendance is clearly outlined in Article 12 (2) which delineates the Executive Committee consisting of Presiding Officers, Representatives designated by the Member Parliaments, and the Chairperson of the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus as an ex-officio member.
The Executive Committee (EXCO) of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) convened as a precursor to the upcoming 55th Plenary Assembly meeting, scheduled to take place in Luanda, Angola. During this session, key matters were deliberated, including the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, consideration of various sub-committee reports, and the development of strategic initiatives.
Notable contributions were made by the President of the SADC PF, Hon. Speaker Roger Mancienne, and other esteemed members such as Senator Isaac Magagula, who presented the Treasurer’s report. EXCO’s recommendations, as guided by the SADC PF Constitution, will be submitted for further discussion and adoption at the Plenary Assembly. This process ensures that all decisions are made with thorough deliberation and adherence to the constitutional framework, paving the way for effective governance and regional integration.
As part of the meeting’s agenda, Hon. Speaker Mudenda presented the Report of the Virtual Legal Sub-Committee Meeting held on 12th June 2024. His insights and recommendations are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the Forum’s legal and constitutional discourse, ensuring robust governance and adherence to the rule of law.
Moreover, his leadership as the Chairperson of the Strategic Lobby Team highlights his commitment to transforming the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament, driving the process of creating model laws. Through his adept lobbying efforts, nine-member Parliaments have endorsed the agreement amending the SADC Treaty, two SADC Member countries have received policy approval from their Governments to sign the transformation Agreement, and consultations are in progress for the remaining four countries to sign up, demonstrating substantial progress towards the attainment of this significant goal of the SADC regional integration through the imminent establishment of the SADC Regional Parliament.