The Parliament of Zimbabwe is addressing a misleading article published by NewZimbabwe.com on June 21, 2024, titled “Ministers face disciplinary action for snubbing Parliament.” The article wrongly listed several ministers as habitual absentees from Parliament’s Question and Answer sessions, allegedly cited by the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Advocate J.F.N Mudenda.
This claim is unfounded. It is a standard procedure for the Speaker of Parliament to announce at the beginning of each Question Time the names of ministers and deputy ministers who have submitted their apologies in advance, as per Standing Order 67(1) of the National Assembly. The ministers mentioned in the NewZimbabwe.com article had all complied with these rules and tendered their apologies appropriately.
The article disregarded the fundamental journalistic practice of fact-checking, as the writer did not verify the information with Parliament. The Parliament of Zimbabwe regrets any inconvenience caused to the concerned ministers and demands that NewZimbabwe.com retract the article immediately and issue an unconditional apology.
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