COVID-19: High Court Orders Improvement In Dissemination of Information to the Deaf and the Blind

By Veritas Provisional Order Against Ministers About to become Permanent? The last day for filing the response from the Ministers responsible for Information, Health, and Social Welfare was today, Friday 8th May.  The Ministers had been ordered to respond to a provisional order served on them on the 23rd April to improve the dissemination of official…

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Law Society, Veritas comment on Deferment of Rents and Mortgage Payments (SI 96 of 2020)

By Veritas On the 3rd of May 2020, the Law Society of Zimbabwe published a critique on the impact and legitimacy of SI 96 of 2020.  The Law Society’s critique is reproduced here with the kind permission of the Executive Director of the Law Society, Mr. Edward Mapara.  Statutory Instrument 96 of 2020, inter alia, allows for…

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PWDs sue government, ZBC over lack of accessible information on COVID-19

By Kumbirai Mafunda Three organisations representing people who are visually impaired and Deaf have sued the government and the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) demanding to be provided with information on coronavirus in a format that is accessible to them. Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League Of TheBlind argued that the rights of…

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Constitutional Court nullifies President’s executive powers on appointment of Judges

By Kumbirai Mafunda The Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe on Tuesday 31 March 2020 delivered a landmark ruling wherein it declared as unconstitutional the legality of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.1) Act. The Act sought to amend Section 180 of the Constitution by giving the President sole powers to appoint the Chief Justice, his deputy…

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Return of Farms to Certain Dispossessed Farmers

By Veritas Earlier this month the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement gazetted a set of regulations ‒ the Land Commission (Gazetted Land)(Disposal in Lieu of Compensation) Regulations, 2020 (SI 62 of 2020) [link] ‒ which provided for the return of farms to two classes of farmers who had been dispossessed during the land reform…

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Jedidiah Trust, Gertrude Mandizvidza welcome Presidential Pardon for convicted female prisoners

Norton-based Jedidiahh Trust and their partner, philanthropist, and educationist Gertrude Mandizvidza, have welcomed the fact that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pardoned all female convicts, juveniles under the age of 18 years, inmates sentenced to life in imprisonment and prisoners aged 70 years and above. Jedidiah Trust, founded by Lovemore Chikwanda, focuses on providing education, psycho-social…

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Kadoma Central Constituency takes delivery of CDF water tanks

By Lovemore Chazingwa in Kadoma Mega water tanks sourced from funds under the constituency development fund (CDF) for Kadoma Central Constituency were taken delivery of to City of Kadoma (CoK) authorities and are awaiting official handover, this publication has established. That handover was supposed to be done today but for coronavirus crisis that is postponed…

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Grand Hotel’s bid to evict James Sakala upheld in court

By Lovemore Chazingwa in Kadoma Kadoma magistrate Ruvimbo Murandu dismissed applications for rescission of default judgment and another of stay of execution of default judgment filed by  James Sakala at Kadoma magistrates court, civil division. Both applications were dismissed with costs on an ordinary scale. The judgment was passed on the 11th of this month…

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Government working on implementing an efficient and effective justice delivery system

By Lovemore Chazingwa Issues to do with efficient and effective justice delivery system can be strengthened in the wake of a policy dialogue convened for policymakers within the ambit of the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS), convened at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Center, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs…

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Rights of children to prompt provision of a birth certificate

By Rumbidzai Venge A child is defined as any boy or girl below the age of eighteen. Children have no capacity to enter into contracts and require curatorship and supervision. To this end, the vulnerability of children calls for the adults surrounding them to provide protection from harm, food, health care, shelter, education, and above…

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Sakunda justifies Command Agriculture role

By Anyway Yotamu. One of the country’s energy companies, Sakunda Holdings has told the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that the total amount spent on Command Agriculture was US$1 Billion in the four years the programme was implemented and not US$3 Billion as widely shared by the committee. Giving oral evidence before PAC on its…

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2019 Labour Force Survey and Child Labour Survey a Key Milestone

The 2019 Labour Survey and Child Labour Survey (LFSCLS) has been described as a key milestone since it seeks to address the limitations of unemployment statistics and provide measures of labour underutilisation in developing countries.   Mr Taguma Mahonde, the Director-General of the Zimbabwe National Statistics Office (ZIMSTAT) made the remarks in his speech at…

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Stakeholders join hands in fighting sexual gender based violence

By Joyce Mukucha As it continues to take strides in fighting Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through urging women to speak out, Katswe Sistahood has partnered with Trocaire, Plan International, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Adult Rape Clinic and government of Zimbabwe by hosting a girls and women’s symposium in Epworth. The gathering which has come…

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No justification for retaining the death penalty in Zimbabwe: Veritas

Veritas, the organisation that provides information on the work of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the Laws of Zimbabwe has said there is no moral or practical justification for retaining the death penalty in the country. This emerged during a workshop with journalists to discuss the death penalty that was held at the Bronte Hotel…

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CiZC Rolls Out Plan To Mobilise Citizens Against Constitutional Amendment Bill No.2

Civil society organisations (CSOs) under the banner of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) have vowed to mobilise citizens to reject the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No 2, accusing the ruling Zanu PF party of railroading the legislature to amend the laws to settle its factional fights. The position was taken during a CiZC coordinating committee…

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GMC capacitates female legislators with Media Skills

By Joyce Mukucha In an effort to improve visibility of women Members of Parliament in the digital era ,promoting women’s empowerment, equality and diversity, the Gender and Media Connect (GMC) is conducting a two-day media skills coaching workshop with the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus in Harare. The training’s main thrust is aimed at creating a…

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False start for Biti’s appeal hearing against conviction and sentencing over 2018 elections

By Kumbirai Mafunda The hearing and determination of an appeal filed by Harare East constituency legislator Hon. Tendai Biti got off to a false start on Monday 9 March 2020 after the High Court postponed the matter to Monday 11 May 2020. High Court Judges Felistus Chatukuta and Pisirayi Kwenda postponed the hearing of Hon….

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Government majoring on misplaced priorities: FreeZim Congress

Joseph Makamba Busha, the President of FreeZim Congress Party has thrown a tantrum on government for neglecting pressing needs of the populace in preference to programmes that do not change people’s lives positively.   Speaking to journalists in Harare today, Makamba singled out government’s prioritisation of a new Parliament building and possibly a new city…

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Coalition urges media to engage more on Constitutional Amendment Bill No.2

By CiZC Information Department   The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has engaged the media to amplify issues around Constitutional Amendment Bill No.2 in an effort to allow citizens to contribute effectively during public hearings. The Coalition undertook a capacity strengthening exercise for media personnel yesterday in Harare. Members of the media were addressed by…

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We need not hand over war to next generations, AU advises PAP

African Union Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, H.E. Crisantos Obama Ondo advised Pan-African Parliamentarians to commit to ending the war on the continent to avoid passing current conflicts on to the next generations. He said this in a keynote address on the African Union 2020 theme, ‘Silencing the Guns: Creating a Conducive Environment for Development,’ during the…

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PAP rallies behind Zimbabwe to fight against economic sanctions by the West

Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Dr. David Musabayana has called upon members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to lobby for the lifting of economic sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe. In a detailed presentation to the PAP’s Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution in Midrand on the first day of the…

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Women Parliamentarians Urged To Consider Vulnerable Groups When Allocating Resources

By Joyce Mukucha Following the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST)’s ongoing implementation of a one-year programme that seeks to enhance meaningful and inclusive citizen participation in parliamentary business, Members of Parliament (MPs) have been challenged to thoroughly analyse and review the budget through effective allocation of resources. This is in line with the dictates…

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Catholics take major steps towards promoting justice and peace in Zimbabwe

Expert groups were commissioned to facilitate the mission of the Catholic Church in promoting justice and peace in Zimbabwe.   The Rt. Rev. Rudolph Nyandoro, the Bishop Chairman of the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) said the working groups will focus on three thematic areas.   “We shall have the advocacy…

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“African children are our future. It is our responsibility to protect them” – Hon. Chief Charumbira

The Pan-African Parliamentary Forum on Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) has started ahead of the Sitting of the Permanent Committees in Midrand, South Africa. Jointly convened by the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the PAP, the consultation aims to harness the role of Parliamentarians in policy formulation and ensuring…

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African Parliamentarians to take stock of Online Child Sexual Exploitation

The Department of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) has convened an awareness raising Summit with members of the Pan-African Parliament to tap into their crucial role in policy formulation and ensuring prevention and prosecution of Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE). The meeting is scheduled to take place from 28 to 29 February…

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Court ends Haruzivishe’s lengthy detention over anti-government protest

By Kumbirai Mafunda Harare Magistrate Yeukai Chigodora on Monday 24 February 2020 ended the lengthy detention of pro-democracy campaigner Makomborero Haruzivishe and Allan Moyo, who were arrested last week by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged for allegedly participating in an illegal demonstration. Haruzivishe and Moyo were arrested on Thursday 20 February 2020 by…

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PAP President on Official Visit to Cuba

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Rt. Hon. Roger Nkodo DANG has arrived in Havana, Cuba on a week-long official visit at the request of the Speaker of the Cuban Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Esteban Lazo HERNANDEZ. PAP President kick-started the engagement by paying homage to Cuba’s National Hero with a wreath-laying at the Jose…

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Proper migration management leads to realisation of SDGs: UN Resident Coordinator

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Maria Ribeiro has said a more encompassing view of migration leads to more appropriate targets and indicators for the the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She made the remarks at the just-ended capacity development workshop on migration management held for Parliamentarians from 14 to 16 February at the Kadoma Hotel and…

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Parliament urged to speed up alignment of laws to strengthen migrant legislation for rights promotion

The Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe has been urged to expedite total re-alignment of the laws to the Constitution so as to strengthen migration legislation that promotes migrant rights.   Dr. James Tsabora, a Consultant with the Centre for Applied Legal Research in his address to Parliamentarians at a workshop on migration underway in Kadoma said…

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Ambassador Timo Olkkonen underscores EU commitment to addressing migration challenges

Ambassador Timo Olkkonen, the Head of European Union (EU) Delegation to Zimbabwe has underscored the bloc’s commitment towards addressing migration challenges in the country. He was speaking at the ongoing workshop for Parliamentarians in Kadoma on strengthening migration legislation to promote migrant rights. Migration has become a major feature of the globalised world, impacting on…

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Public administration now a scientific process: Luke Malaba

By Lovemore Chazingwa The management of public administration affairs now demands a scientific approach as it can no longer be tackled in a haphazard manner, Chief Justice Luke Malaba has observed. Chief Justice Malaba made the remarks when he was asked to reinforce his introduction, by Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary Virginia Mabhiza, during the official…

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Calls for removal of Prosecutor-General post gather momentum

Legal Correspondent Zimbabwe is working towards abolishing the post of the Prosecutor General (PG), a  strategic planning review workshop has heard. Minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi said this in his keynote address when he officially opened his Ministry’s 2020 Strategic Planning Review Workshop at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre (KHCC)…

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Mainstream migration into development planning: IOM

By Lovemore Chazingwa in Kadoma The concept of mainstreaming migration into development frameworks is one specific approach that has been adopted to tackle human movement as a reality to be managed, a top United Nations official has said. International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe Chief of Mission, Mario Malanca made the remarks at the ongoing…

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PAP optimistic about South Africa’s Chairmanship of the African Union

As South African President, H.E Cyril RAMAPHOSA assumes the position of Chairperson of the African Union (AU), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has extended hearty congratulations. South Africa has been hosting PAP; the Union’s Legislative Organ since 2006. PAP President, the Rt. Hon. Roger Nkodo DANG says this development comes at an opportune time for our Union. He says the…

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Migration can pose both benefits and challenges: Speaker of National Assembly

Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said migration poses both benefits and challenges to society hence the need for better management of the phenomenon. He made the remarks at the Capacity Building Workshop for the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services and the Thematic Committee on Human Rights at…

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Executive Council urges AU Member States to ratify the Malabo Protocol

The Executive Council of the African Union (AU) has called on Member States to ratify the constitutive act of the AU relating to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), while congratulating the African countries that have so far heeded the call to empower the continental Parliament with legislative powers. This forms part of the Council’s decisions related…

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GMAZ absconds Parliamentary Portfolio Committee

By Anyway Yotamu The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) submitted a fourth letter to Parliament in a bid to evade being grilled by legislators under the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement over US$27 million they received from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. GMAZ was set to appear for hearing…

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Need for Government Tertiary College for City of Kadoma

By Lovemore Chazingwa A Constituency Development Interface between Kadoma Central Constituency Member of the House of Assembly (MP) Hon. Muchineripi Chinyanganya that was held recently established that a tertiary learning institution in the mould of either an agricultural, teachers’ or polytechnic college is destined for the City of Kadoma in the near future. The constituency…

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