By Shongedzai Mugwagwa

Parliament of Zimbabwe has proposed to introduce a new Standing Order 86 which obligates all Members of Parliament and Senators to respect the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Harare Post can report.

This proposal was initiated on the background that MDC MPs and Senators had sparked a bickering in the August house over their perceived illegitimacy call of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The wrangle was slowly rendering the August House useless.

The Standing order reads, “1. Members shall observe utmost dignity and decorum during the President Address. 2 A member shall not disrupt or interrupt the President’s address through disorderly conduct.”

The development was welcomed by various political commentators as a necessary move to restore sanity in the Parliament.

Also Standing Order 76, “Members in the House”, was proposed with expected decorum behaviour of Parliamentarians. It is proposed that an amendment be made to standing order 76 (1) by the insertion of a new paragraph (e) which shall read—(e) not sing except when required to sing the National Anthem.”