Harare – ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi has announced that Zimbabwe and Mozambique have agreed in principle to establish a bi-annual Chief Whips Forum aimed at strengthening parliamentary cooperation, enhancing oversight, and deepening bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Togarepi made the remarks while speaking to journalists shortly after a tour of Parliament by Mozambican Speaker of Parliament, Her Excellency, Margarida Adamugy Talapa and her delegation in Harare recently.

The visit follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent trip to Mozambique, where he met Mozambican President, Daniel Francisco Chapo, and signed a bilateral agreement.

Togarepi said the parliamentary engagement was a direct continuation of that high-level diplomatic thrust.

“This visit and engagement was very critical. It is meant to assist the executive of our two countries to perform for the people,” Togarepi said. “We had questions and they gave us answers. They also had questions and we gave them answers.”

The Chief Whip revealed that the two legislatures had reached a broad understanding on establishing a structured platform for chief whips to meet regularly.

“We in principle agreed that we are going to form a Chief Whips Forum which will meet bi-annually to ensure that we exchange our activities and benefit our parliaments,” he said.

Togarepi described the forum as essential because no single parliament possesses all the answers to the challenges facing its people.

“Whatever we are doing in Zimbabwe is not everything. Whatever the Parliament of Mozambique was doing is also not everything. We borrow from each other and strengthen our systems,” he said. “It is therefore critical because it will enhance our cooperation.”

He said the exchange would extend beyond legislative processes to include parliamentary oversight mechanisms, noting that Mozambique has recorded successes that Zimbabwe could learn from and potentially replicate.

“Parliament also deals with oversight. What Mozambique does successfully, we pick and implement in Zimbabwe,” Togarepi said.

Beyond bilateral cooperation, Togarepi framed the initiative within the broader context of African integration, arguing that stronger ties between national legislatures would contribute to continental unity.

“It will also help on where we are going as Africa, our integration policies that are being implemented in Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” he said. “When Mozambique interacts with Zambia, Zimbabwe interacting with South Africa, if we put them together because we are already working together, we end up with united people of Africa. So we are going in a good direction and it is good for our continent.”

Togarepi said he was encouraged by the spirit of engagement displayed by the Mozambican delegation, and urged Zimbabwean legislators to recognise that their fundamental objectives transcend party politics.

“I am excited that we had this opportunity to exchange with our sister country,” he said. “The earlier all our members of parliament realise that the objective is the same, the better. We all want to do good for our people.”

He said political differences should not obstruct national development, adding that Zimbabwe’s opposition parties and the ruling ZANU PF have demonstrated a capacity to set aside partisan interests on matters of national importance.

“Whoever has an idea of improving the economic, social welfare and development of their respective countries, the best way is to cooperate and discuss as patriotic citizens,” Togarepi said.

“We have the same scenario here. We have different political parties as opposition, but when it comes to national issues we sit down and say this is for Zimbabwe. It is not about ZANU PF getting votes or your political party. Elections have come and gone. Now we have to help our people fulfil their aspirations.”

He said the Mozambican delegation had conveyed a similar approach to governance, placing national interests above partisan considerations.

“That is what I also saw from the Mozambican delegation. They agreed before us that they work together for national issues. They put Mozambique first. And that is developing in Zimbabwe,” Togarepi said.

The proposed Chief Whips Forum is expected to facilitate the exchange of best practices on legislative business, committee oversight, and parliamentary administration. It will also provide a platform for the two parliaments to align their positions on regional integration matters, including those pursued under the Southern African Development Community and the African Union.

Analysts say parliamentary diplomacy has become an increasingly important complement to executive-level engagement in southern Africa, particularly as countries seek to deepen economic ties and coordinate responses to shared challenges such as infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and cross-border security.

The Mozambican delegation’s tour of Zimbabwe’s Parliament is expected to be reciprocated, with Zimbabwean parliamentary officials set to visit Maputo in the coming months to finalise the modalities of the proposed forum.

Togarepi said the engagement had reinforced his conviction that cooperation, rather than isolation, holds the key to the region’s prosperity.

“We are going in a good direction, and it is good for our continent,” he said.