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Zim MPs 'face mammoth task'
24/07/2007 15:27 - (SA)
Harare - President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday told parliamentarians in Zimbabwe to steel themselves for a mammoth task during the last parliamentary session ahead of elections in March.
Mugabe said: "Let me say your task as parliamentarians during this session is a mammoth one."
The 83-year-old leader said both houses of parliament would be debating several key laws.
The proposed legislation included an amendment to the constitution to allow parliamentary and presidential polls to be held simultaneously in 2008.
The amendment, the 18th one in 27 years of independence, would also expand the number of seats in parliament and the senate in a move criticised by opponents as extending Mugabe's system of patronage towards party supporters.
Political crisis
On Tuesday, the Zimbabwean leader argued that the benefit of combining elections would save money that could go towards the development of the country, which had been hard hit by a worsening economic and political crisis.
The amendment would also shorten the presidential term from six to five years.
Mugabe was almost certain to stand again in the presidential polls, though there was widespread speculation that he might hand over to a handpicked successor if he wins.
The former schoolteacher has been in power in Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, making him one of Africa's longest-ruling leaders.
Among other new laws expected to be passed very soon by a parliament which is heavily dominated by members of Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party - is a controversial national indigenisation and empowerment bill, through which local blacks will be given majority shares in companies, including banks and mines.
Worsening economic crisis
The proposed law has sent shivers down the spines of the struggling business community.
Economists have warned that Zimbabwe's inflation-battered economy will not be able to sustain a programme with worrying similarities to the chaotic takeover of thousands of white-owned farms since 2000.
The once-prosperous southern African nation is in the throes of a worsening economic crisis, marked by inflation of well over 4 500% and shortages of basic commodities including fuel, foreign currency and most recently meat.
Mugabe said his government would be embarking on a massive exercise to boost the national herd to more than two million cattle within the next three years.
The commercial beef herd had been decimated after the land- reform programme.
Sapa-dpa
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Zimbabwe Special Report
