Low turnout mars Mutare public hearings

SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE

Parliament of Zimbabwe last week conducted poorly attended public hearings on   various law amendments in Mutare as residents blamed lawmakers for giving them short notice to attend the meetings.

The residents raised the issue during last week’s public hearing on the Prisons and Correctional Services Bill and the Criminal Law and Codification Reform Bill held in Mutare’s Chikanga suburb.

“It is sad that we are told of such important events at the last minute. People are busy, yes, but if these programs are aired on radio, television and people told on time there could be a change in the attendance,” said one Mutare resident who identified himself as Ralf Chamunorwa.

He said most people would not be aware of such meetings and therefore fail to turn up.

“I have just been informed of this meeting today and had to come to get to know what is happening. In addition, we need to be told of what is going to be addressed or discussed so that we contribute meaningfully and participate as well,” said Chamunorwa of Chikanga suburb.

He added that organisers of the programme should select central venues for more people to attend.

“Given the short notice and the far-fetched venues from some of the residents, citing Chikanga as the venue is not one of the best. We would have thought the Parliament should have chosen maybe the Queens Hall or Mutare hall as it is central to most residents,” Chamunorwa said.

Mutasa South lawmaker and member of the Parliamentary portfolio committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Misheck Mugadza admitted the meeting had not been well advertised hence the low turnout.

“We apologise for the short notice given. This is going to be addressed in future. We see few people are here and this could be due to that fact,” Mugadza said.

Chairperson of the committee and Mutare Central Member of Parliament Innocent Gonese explained the Amendment Bills are key to be taken to the public for their input for national consensus and development, adding that the laws need to be aligned with the changing time.

“If we look at the Prison and Correctional Services Bill it is key to be amended as it was drafted in 1956 before we had the correctional aspect of our prisons that used to be punitive to the offender,” Gonese said.

Some of the people in attendance felt the public hearings are just a formality since some contributions from citizens are disregarded.

Gonese said members of the public that could have failed to contribute on the outreach programmes could still do so by writing to Parliament their thoughts on the issues being tabled and also through utilising social media contacts of the Parliament of Zimbabwe.