President Emmerson Mnangagwa is tomorrow expected to set out the Government’s legislative priorities for the Fourth Session of the 10th Parliament when he officially opens the new parliamentary session at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
The President will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) during a joint sitting of the Senate and National Assembly scheduled for 2pm on Tuesday, September 29.
The opening will provide Government with an opportunity to outline the legislative programme for the new session, building on the work undertaken by Parliament during the Third Session.
Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda announced the official opening through General Notice 1866 of 2026, titled “Notice of Official Opening of Parliament and SONA”, published in last Friday’s Government Gazette.
In the notice, Advocate Mudenda said President Mnangagwa would address Parliament in terms of Section 140 (1) of the Constitution before delivering the SONA in accordance with Section 140 (4).
“It is hereby notified for public information that His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa on Tuesday, 29th September, 2026, 2 pm will: (a) address a joint sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly in terms of section 140 (1) of the Constitution, during which he will set out Government’s legislative agenda for the Fourth Session of the 10th Parliament and (b) in terms of section 140 (4) the Constitution, deliver SONA,” he said.
The Fourth Session opens against the backdrop of significant legislative activity during the previous session, which saw Parliament pass Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 (CAA3).
The amendment secured 226 votes in favour and 41 against in the National Assembly, while 75 Senators supported it and four voted against.
Beyond legislation, Parliament’s oversight role remained prominent, with Portfolio Committees tabling 54 reports during the Third Session.
The reports included 16 quarterly budget performance reports covering Government ministries, as well as reports arising from public petitions and other inquiries.
Parliament also passed seven other Bills covering areas such as insurance and pensions, medical services, examinations, tourism, occupational safety and health, climate change management and the hosting of IATFCO entities.
The previous session further saw the establishment of the Committee for the Future, tasked with anticipating emerging developments and assisting Parliament in preparing for future challenges.
Against this background, President Mnangagwa’s address is expected to provide the broad policy and legislative direction that will guide Parliament’s work during the Fourth Session.
