By Brendah Muchato

His Excellency the President and ZANU PF First Secretary Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa will today deliver his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the New Parliament Complex in Mt Hampden where he will officially opens the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament.

He will address both the National Assembly and Senate physically. Last year some legislators followed the proceedings virtually because of Covid 19.

Addressing Parliament by the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is consistent with Section 140 of the Constitution. Part of Section 140 (1) says: "The President may at any time address either House of Parliament or a joint sitting of both Houses."

And Section 140 (4) reads: "At least once a year the President must address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the state of the nation, and the Speaker and the President of the Senate must make the necessary arrangements for Parliament to receive such an address."