By Lorraine Muwuya Murehwa is a district of Mashonaland East in Zimbabwe and it has for the past two years recorded the highest number of mysterious deaths. Most of the deaths are murder cases of passion, rituals, suicide, and culpable homicide. The questions then that arise are what could really be happening in the district…
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) engaged the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr. John Mangudya who in turn warned the retailers that SI127 targets those abusing auction funds, manipulators of the exchange rate, and those that do not bank funds. The Central Bank Governor said SI127 is meant to ensure compliance. “We would want…
Civil society has expressed alarm following as yet unconfirmed reports that Judge Paddington Garwe has been cited in a scam that is strategically meant to capture and dismantle the judiciary order in Zimbabwe. Abigail Mupambi, the National Coordinator of the Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum expressed great concern about claims that the George Soros…
By Veritas Confusion about spot fines persists at the highest levels of government. In the National Assembly on the 9th of June, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs was asked if people could be forced to pay spot fines for traffic offences even if they had no money to pay. She answered: “Yes, it is Government policy. …
The Southern Africa Editors Forum (SAEF) joins the Editors Forum of Lesotho (EFL) in condemning the March 23 presentation before the parliament of the Computer Crime and Cyber Security Bill of 2021, as well as the latest gazetting of The Communications (Subscriber Identity Module and Device Registration) Regulations, 2021, by the government of Lesotho. In…
By Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) Attention on the Constitutional Amendment Act (Number 2) 2021 has recently been sparked by the historic judgment in which the High Court declared that Chief Justice Malaba ceased to hold office by operation of law notwithstanding attempts to extend his term of office. Although this was an…
By Chimeno Azriel Artists have been urged to have their work protected if they are to secure their success and future. This was said by copyright expert, Advocate Michael Zinyoni in an interview recently aired with a view of educating artists about having their work secured. Advocate Zinyoni, who holds a degree in Intellectual Property…
The Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) has lodged a notice of intention to defend a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) brought against the organisation by a Canadian mining company, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. SARW is an independent, nonprofit organisation that monitors corporate and government conduct in the…
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) notes with great concern, the concerted efforts by the state to derail constitutionalism in the country. On May 15, 2021, Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi issued ‘contemptuous threats’ against judges following a ruling to the effect that former Chief Justice, Luke Malaba could not benefit from a constitutional amendment to…
By Lloyd Fernando There have been countless serious miscarriages of justice in Australia, and it is of utmost importance to put the Australian legal system in order. Therefore, I had suggested to the Australian government(s) several times through emails to the effect the following, but there was no apparent manifestation of these solutions, in…
By Kumbirai Mafunda High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Wednesday 5 May 2021 ended the two-month detention of Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joana Mamombe and opposition MDC-Alliance party youth leader Cecilia Chimbiri by granting them RTGS$20 000 bail. Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri had spent 61 days detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison after several…
Environment and tourism stakeholders had a consultative meeting in Harare yesterday to gather views on the review of the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14] to ensure that the Act meets the current needs of society whilst at the same time addressing a myriad of contemporary sector challenges. In his keynote address, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu,…
Joint Civil Society Statement on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.2) Bill We, the undersigned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe, note with serious concern the passing of the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 2 by the National Assembly on 20 April 2021. It is very disturbing that the proposed amendments to the Constitution are…
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) Gender Committee has blamed judicial capture for the continued incarceration and persecution of MDC Alliance female activists, Joanna Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri. The coalition argues that the activists are victims of persecution by the prosecution and avers that their ordeal at the hands of the State is clear testimony…
By Joelson Mugari – National Elections Reform Agenda (NERA) Executive Chairman It is a very sad story for Zimbabweans once again as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has announced its back-on-track snail pace on Electoral activities. Yes Constitutionally, every citizenry community must be represented in Parliament, and hence all recalled, deceased, incapacitated or resigned members…
By Charles Dhewa Except in Burkina Faso and Uganda, parliamentary debates in the majority of agro-based African economies are completely disconnected from issues that affect ordinary people daily. Ideally, Members of Parliament (MPs) from production zones should be conversant with issues in their constituencies to be able to articulate the situation convincingly. Unfortunately, that is…
Compiled by Shamiso Mtisi and Michelle Matsvaire (Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association) Discussions on the amendment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe have resumed without any significant strides having been made in implementing and upholding already existing key provisions. The Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Bill No. 2 was gazetted on 17 January 2020 with the aim of…
By Kumbirai Mafunda A Zimbabwean court has ordered a police officer and his bosses to pay RTGS$150 000 to a 40-year-old man as compensation for damages suffered after he was mauled by a dog set upon him by a law enforcement agent. Rusape Magistrate Rufaro Mangwiro recently ordered Constable Zwelibanzi Masuko, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)…
By Marvellous Kumalo (Crisis Coalition Spokesperson) Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is appalled by the continued weaponization of the judiciary to clamp down on dissenting voices. Our concern arises from the continued arrests and detention of opposition and civil society activists on flimsy charges. Yesterday, April 12, 2021, MDC Alliance Councilor for Ward 18, Chiredzi West,…
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) hosted a virtual public meeting via the ZOOM platform on Wednesday, 7th of April 2021 on the topic “Recalls and Defections: An Anathema to Representative Democracy.” The objective of the meeting was to discuss the nature of recalls and defections in Zimbabwe as well as their implications on civic participation and electoral…
Honourable Tongai Mnangagwa, the Member of the National Assembly for Harare South has said it is incumbent on stakeholders to join forces in addressing the menace of land barons in the constituency. Hon Mnangagwa made the remarks on his meet-the-people meeting at the Mbudzi complex in Harare on Friday. “The Harare South Constituency is one…
By Kumbirai Mafunda Human rights lawyers are working on filing an appeal against the conviction and imprisonment of prominent pro-democracy campaigner Makomborero Haruzivishe after he was imprisoned for 20 months by Harare Magistrate Judith Taruvinga on charges of inciting public violence and resisting arrest by law enforcement agents. Magistrate Taruvinga, who on Wednesday 31 March…
By Veritas On the 16th March, the Cabinet agreed to further relaxations in the national lock-down. According to the post-Cabinet press briefing: “Cabinet … agreed that all sporting activities will now resume and observe Standard Operating Procedures. Restaurants are now allowed to open for sit-ins at 50% sitting capacity, under strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. Those found breaking…
By Veritas On Wednesday last week, 24th March, the Senate approved a motion by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to restore the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 1) Bill, to the Order Paper. This Bill had lapsed at the end of the previous Parliamentary session nearly six months ago. Background The Constitution of…
The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) welcomes the government’s announcement that the Cabinet, considered and approved the Public Finance Management Amendment Bill, 2021 which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation. Cabinet was informed that the Bill is intended to amend…
In a judgment delivered by High Court judge Justice Walter Chinamhora, Lazarus Muchenje was yesterday reinstated as NetOne CEO, reversing his dismissal from the apex position of the government-controlled mobile telephony company. The Herald Newspaper reported that Muchenje was dismissed on three months’ notice in July last year, but then made an urgent chamber application…
By Joyce Mukucha In line with Section 17 (b) of the Constitution, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission(ZHRC) has called upon the government to honour its obligations towards empowerment of women so as to achieve gender balance in all institutions and agencies of government. ZHRC said this is aimed to increase women’s leadership and tap on…
Bill Watch By Veritas Statutory Instruments under Communal Land Act: Effect on Shangaan Land Rights in Chiredzi District Nearly a year ago the Government announced its plans for large-scale commercial lucerne production a substantial area of Communal Land in the Chiredzi District. The announcement caused great disquiet among the predominantly Shangaan communities occupying the area…
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has revealed that Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira has been designated Acting President with effect from 1 March 2021. The designation is pursuant to Article 12(4) of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the PAP; and Article 18(2) and Article 19(1) of the PAP Rules and…
By Veritas Both the Senate and the National Assembly sat this afternoon, Tuesday 16th February, for their first working sittings of 2021 after their earlier token sitting in late January and early February, respectively. COVID-19 restrictions will be observed at this week’s sittings, so only a very limited number of Senators and MPs will be physically…
Firebrand politician, Temba Mliswa, who is the legislator for Norton has laid blame on state security agents led by Minister Owen Ncube for putting his name into disrepute. Speaking to this publication soon after his release from Borrowdale Police Station following his arrest for holding an illegal meeting earlier today that allegedly breached lockdown regulations,…
By Kumbirai Mafunda The High Court has removed an urgent chamber application filed by Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) seeking to compel the government to provide a National Deployment Vaccination Plan and present a budget for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines before Parliament after ruling that it is not an urgent matter. Through its lawyer…
By Veritas High Court judge Justice Mary Dube has ordered the Ministers of Health and Child Care and of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to disseminate widely “comprehensive and adequate information” on both private and public testing, isolation and treatment of COVID-19. This follows an urgent application filed by the trustees of MISA Zimbabwe, represented…
Zimbabwe’s main opposition party MDC-Alliance legislator Joanna Mamombe and her co-accused Cecilia Chimbiri have been denied bail by a Harare Magistrate who remanded them in custody till 18 February, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has revealed. In a tweet, ZLHR said, “Harare West MP Hon. Mamombe & Chimbiri return to Chikurubi Maximum Prison after…
By Kunashe Mukande Land barons are wreaking havoc in Harare’s Budiriro high-density suburb and they recently invaded a space earmarked for Johane Masowe Nyenyedzinomwe apostolic members’ housing co-operative. A handful of the church leadership’s representative council (Vadare or Vatariri) were ordered to vacate their worshipping site and threatened with death. Narrating the horrific encounter with the…
By Veritas On 22nd January 2021, the Zimbabwe Media Commission published Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (Registration, Accreditation, and Levy) (Amendment) Regulations, 2021 (No. 1) [SI 22 of 2021]. These regulations purport to set out new fees for accrediting journalists and registering news agencies and media services under the Access to Information and Protection of…
By Kumbirai Mafunda A Beitbridge couple has been released from prison after Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members arrested and charged the duo with publishing or communicating falsehoods by sharing a message on a WhatsApp group stating that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had died after being administered a vaccine to treat him of coronavirus. The couple, Vongai…
By approaching the High Court seeking resolution of employment disputes and unfair labour practices, embattled former Chief Executive Officer of NetOne, Lazarus Muchenje wants to be reinstated to his former position through the back door, Justice Esther Muremba has ruled. Muchenje had approached the High Court on the basis that the letter of termination of…
By Veritas Last year’s Budget Bill – the Finance (No. 2) Bill – was published in the Gazette on the 14th December and three days later was passed by the National Assembly and the Senate with very little debate. Although our Bill Watch of 15th December alerting the public to the publication of Bill mentioned…
By Staff Reporter The Zimbabwe Citizen Forum Leader Alex Gakanje has accused the MDC-Alliance Vice president, Tendai Biti of blocking the nation from accessing the Covid-19 relief fund resulting in the deaths and suffering of poor citizens. Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Monday, Gakanje said the current suffering of Zimbabwe and failure…
By Joyce Mukucha As it strives to be a preferred provider of world-class quality, innovative and comprehensive pathological services, the Pathology Laboratories (Pathlabs) has noted with concern the rise in fraudulent activities with regards to the usage of the body’s intellectual property in the form of its letterheads. The letterheads are being used to produce…
The corona pandemic is causing turmoil worldwide and has had a massive impact on economic activity. Internal legal departments are therefore facing new challenges. On the one hand, companies are cutting their budgets for legal services, and on the other hand, the complexity and amount of legal issues is increasing. In-house lawyers have to minimize…
By Joyce Mukucha While welcoming the efforts of the Government in the fight against Covid-19, the Election Resource Centre (ERC) has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to be compliant with the law in arriving at any suspension and postponement of electoral activities. ERC revealed this after noting with concern the continued use of press…
Alpha Media Holdings Executive Chairman, Trevor Ncube has described actions by the State as a chilling attack on freedom of expression concerning the arrest of Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, Job Sikhala, and Hopewell Chin’ono. He said the three have been charged under a law that was struck down by the Constitutional Court in 2014 resulting in…
By Staff Reporter The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement intends to withdraw the offer of land made to the late hero and Anti-Corruption Commissioner Shepherd Gwasira in respect of Subdivision 1 measuring 2 757.97HA of CONS of Lot 1 SS Ranch, Rem of SS Ranch and Mete farm in the District of…
