constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Sep 2013, 21:48 PART 9 GENERAL MATTERS RELATING TO PARLIAMENT 148 Privileges and immunities of Parliament (1) The President of the Senate, the Speaker and Members of Parliament have freedom of speech in Parliament and in all parliamentary committees and, while they must obey the rules and orders of the House concerned, they are not liable to civil or criminal proceedings, arrest or imprisonment or damages for anything said in, produced before or submitted to Parliament or any of its committees. (2) An Act of Parliament may-(a) provide for other privileges, immunities and powers of Parliament and its Members and officers; (b) define conduct which constitutes contempt of Parliament, whether committed by Members of Parliament or other people; and (c) provide for a right of reply, through the Speaker or the President of the Senate, as the case may be, for persons who are unjustly injured by what is said about them in Parliament; but no such Act may permit Parliament or its Members or officers to impose any punishment in the nature of a criminal penalty, other than a fine, for breach of privilege or contempt of Parliament. 149 Right to petition Parliament (1) Every citizen and permanent resident of Zimbabwe has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including the enactment, amendment or repeal of legislation. (2) The manner in which petitions are to be presented to Parliament, and the action that Parliament is to take on presentation of a petition, must be prescribed in Standing Orders. 150 Venue of Parliament Parliament may sit at places other than the ordinary seat of Parliament, but only on grounds of public interest, security or convenience. 151 Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (1) Parliament must appoint a committee to be known as the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders for the purpose of-(a) supervising the administration of Parliament; (b) formulating Standing Orders; (c) considering and deciding all matters concerning Parliament; and (d) exercising any other functions that may be conferred or imposed on the committee by this Constitution or by Standing Orders or any other law. Zimbabwe 2013 Page 62