The Permanent Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline (Rules Committee) has recommended and adopted a motion that will see the Regional Caucus Chairpersons included as part of the Bureau decision making process to assist the Acting President, Hon. Chief Fortune Z. Charumbira, in running the affairs of the Parliament until the next elective Plenary Session.
The motion is pursuant of Rule 84 (1b) of the PAP Rules and Procedure which stipulates that “a regional caucus performs any other function as assigned to it by the Bureau or Permanent Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline or by resolution of Parliament.”
The motion will be presented and debated at the Joint Bureau and Bureaux of Committees and Caucuses meeting currently underway at the seat of the continental Parliament in Midrand, South Africa and chaired by PAP’s Acting President.
Currently, there are four vacant positions in the Bureau of the PAP. The Bureau is composed of five members, one President and four Vice-Presidents, elected for a three-year term. They represent the five regions of Africa: North Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa.The PAP Rules of Procedure also provide for each of the five geographic regions to form a regional caucus composed of its members.
Rules Committee Chairperson, Hon. Adv. Djibril War commended the decision taken by his Committee as a “positive step forward”.
“I believe we are on the correct track as a Committee by urging for inclusion of the Regional Caucuses Chairpersons in the Bureau where vacancies exist. We need to make sure that PAP is not incapacitated because of gaps that is exists in its engine,” he said.
“We have realised the challenges faced by the Acting President and I am glad that we are all in agreement that we push for incorporation of all Regional Caucuses Chairpersons to help assist in running the Bureau,” said the Rules CommitteeRapporteur, Hon. Togarepi Pupurai.
Earlier on presiding over a plenary session of the Joint Bureau and Bureaux of Committees and Caucuses, Acting President Hon. Chief Charumbira urged African legislators to unite and work hard towards achieving their mandate despite challenges.
“I am aware we are working under difficult conditions with the Covid-19 causing enormous frustrations. We need to work together and pull in one direction for us to emerge victorious in our mandate. I have confidence that at the end of the day we will overcome all challenges collectively,” said Hon. Charumbira.
