PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe cannot unilaterally make key decisions without consulting the other principals in the Government of National Unity (GNU) despite the dissolution of Parliament last week, the two MDC formations have said.
REPORT BY SENIOR REPORTER
The life of Parliament expired at midnight on Saturday.
In an interview with NewsDay yesterday, MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said according to the new Constitution, it was only Parliament which had dissolved. but the Executive remained in place.
“In terms of the new Constitution, the Executive, which comprised the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, deputy prime ministers and ministers, remains in place until the swearing in of a new president,” Mwonzora said.
“That means, therefore, the obligations of the President to consult the Prime Minister on key issues remains. That also means if it is necessary for the President to proclaim any statutory instrument he has to do so with the concurrence of the Cabinet. The fact that Parliament no longer exists does not affect this.”
MDC deputy spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi echoed Mwonzora’s statements that the GNU was still in place.
“The GNU is still functional. Cabinet will meet tomorrow (today) and shall continue meeting until a new president is elected. The Constitution does not allow Mugabe to rule by decree and the MDC will not allow him to violate the Constitution or abuse authority,” Chihwayi said.
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“It is misleading and exhibition of some gross foolishness by some newspapers to say Mugabe single-handedly runs the country without Cabinet. The correct position is that only Parliament has stopped functioning and not government.”
Constitutional law expert Greg Linington said the dissolution of Parliament had no effect on the GNU.
“Dissolution of Parliament doesn’t affect the GNU. It continues until such a time when a new President and ministers are sworn in so (Morgan) Tsvangirai remains as Prime Minister. However, the (Global Political) Agreement itself is meant to be in place until such a time when a new government is put in place,” Linington said.
Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa recently said Mugabe could now rule by decree following the dissolution of Parliament.
