Trinity Mapendere
The Chief’s Council President Chief Fortune Charumbira and his deputy Chief Mtshane Khumalo on Thursday August 10 2023 made history by swapping positions, a development which saw Chief Khumalo becoming the president while Chief Charumbira deputise him.
The two sailed through unopposed after the two served together for the past 10 years, with Charumbira deciding not to seek re-election.
The two Chiefs automatically become members of the senate as the law, (Section 120.1 (c)) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which provides that the President and Deputy President of the National Chiefs Council after being elected automatically become members of the Senate.
Chief Charumbira who is also currently serving as the President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), has higher chances of retaining his seat in Parliament notwithstanding the dissolution of the Zimbabwean Parliament on 23 August this month, when the country holds its general election.
Chief Charumbira will continue as a ‘Returning Member’ of PAP and as a ‘Returning Member’ under the Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament as amended, there are no impediments to his continuing his office term as the President of the continental parliament having been appointed as Senator in Zimbabwe.
Rule 16(15) of PAP’s Rules of Procedure states that, “A member of the Bureau shall remain competent to perform his or her duties and functions if he or she is re-elected or re-designated by his or her National Parliament or other deliberative organ.”
