President Emmerson Mnangagwa is scheduled to meet with Members of Parliament, who have been facing significant financial difficulties, when he officially opens the Third Session of the Tenth Parliament and delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday.
The lawmakers have reported not receiving fuel and other allowances from the government for several months, resulting in increased absenteeism and accidents among their colleagues.
Speaking in Parliament last week Dzivarasekwa MP, Edwin Mushoriwa said Members of Parliament are struggling to make ends meet and are forced into dangerous survival tactics and being reduced to beggars due to the delayed payment of their dues.
Mushoriwa cited the fatal accident involving Nkulumane lawmaker Desire Moyo, which occurred due to delays in receiving his fuel allocation, causing him to travel late to his constituency.
The late Moyo passed away in a road traffic accident when his vehicle collided with an elephant along the Gweru – Bulawayo Highway in the early hours of the 10th of October, he was accompanied by other MPs at the time.
The lawmakers claimed that they have not received their fuel allocations for several months.
This year’s address by President Mnangagwa will attract heightened attention as ZANU-PF seeks to expedite constitutional amendments that could potentially extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028.
As indicated in General Notice 2162 of 2025, issued by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tsitsi Gezi last week, the address will commence at 12 PM during a joint sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly in Mounthampden.
In accordance with Section 140(1) of the Constitution, the President will outline the government’s legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session, setting the stage for key policy priorities and proposed laws to be discussed in the upcoming months.
Mnangagwa will also provide an update on the country’s political, social, and economic situation, as mandated by Section 140(4) of the Constitution.
