Clerk Of Parliament
Appointment of Clerk and Other Officers
Understanding the constitutional framework and administrative structure of Parliament's staff.
Constitutional Foundation
Section 48 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that:
There shall be a Clerk of Parliament appointed by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.
Subject to any wishes, which may be expressed from time to time by Parliament, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders shall appoint such other staff of Parliament, as it may from time to time consider necessary.
The staff of Parliament shall be appointed on terms of service approved from time to time by Parliament and shall be deemed to be public officers but shall not form part of the Public Service.
Administrative Structure
Clerk of Parliament
The Clerk of Parliament is seized with both procedural and administrative duties. One of the procedural services provided by the Clerk include; administering Oath or Affirmation of Loyalty to new members; authenticating acts before they are dispatched to the Head of State for approval; and receiving and placing amendments on the Order Paper. Administrative duties include advising the Speaker on parliamentary procedure and practice, managing the daily operations of Parliament, and overseeing the various departments that support its functions.
Other Officers and Staff
In addition to the Clerk, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders appoints other staff as necessary to support the diverse functions of Parliament.
These officers and staff ensure the smooth running of parliamentary business, including Hansard reporters, committee clerks, research officers, security personnel, and administrative support staff.
Their terms of service are approved by Parliament, and while they are considered public officers, they operate distinctly from the general Public Service, ensuring Parliament's independence and specialized focus.
