By Veritas Introduction Many people arrested in connection with last month’s disturbances have been charged with criminal nuisance; many have signed admissions of guilt and have been released after paying deposit fines. What is criminal nuisance and how does it affect the right to demonstrate guaranteed by section 59 of the Constitution? Definition of Criminal Nuisance…
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has reported that High Court Judge Justice Happias will today, Tuesday 12 February 2019, preside over the hearing and determination of an application filed by Mfundo Mlilo, a pro-democracy campaigner, seeking an order to suspend the imposition of a punitive tax on electronic transactions. Justice Zhou will hear…
These biometric solutions enable the police force to better solve crimes through the electronic collection, storage and processing of fingerprints, palm prints and facial captures Gemalto (www.Gemalto.com), the world leader in digital security, is supplying its Cogent Automated Biometric Identification System (CABIS) (https://bit.ly/2SmrB2t) and LiveScan (https://bit.ly/2I7sM0Z) technology to the Ugandan Police. These biometric solutions enable the police force to…
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has said the establishment of an inter-ministerial taskforce will address recommendations and issues raised by the various election observer missions and the Motlanthe Commission on the 1 August 2018 shootings. The network urged the government to set up an inclusive multi stakeholder taskforce comprising of a wide range of…
By Tendai Guvamombe Justice for Women Zimbabwe (JWZ), Female Prisoners Support Trust and Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence has expressed concern and anguish over he gross human rights violations by the Zimbabwe government and state security agents during the recent shutdown protests. JWZ Director Coezett Chirinda revealed this at a press conference held…
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Nelson Chamisa has said it is is deeply alarmed and perturbed by the level to which the Rule of Law has been trampled upon by the Executive, the Army, Police, the National Prosecuting Authority and some elements of the Judiciary. Innocent Gonese, the MDC Secretary for Justice…
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) reported yesterday that nine people were convicted for committing public violence after they allegedly participated in anti-government protests held a fortnight ago against the worsening economic crisis in Zimbabwe. In Harare, six residents of Whitecliff high-density suburb were on Friday 25 January 2019 convicted by Harare Magistrate Elijah…
By Veritas In this bulletin we shall examine the legality of the Internet shut-downs against the background of the Constitution, international law and the Interception of Communications Act. On the 15th January, the second day of a stay-away called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, all Internet services across the country were switched off…
The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is concerned that a group of men who identified themselves as members of the security forces intimidated and threatened the Chairperson of the ARDA Transau Relocation Development Trust, Mr. Donald Masvaure, at his place of residence with unspecified action should he continue to mobilise the community to seek legal redress…
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the military have denied having played a hand in the violence and looting that took place during last week’s protests as Zanu (PF) lays blame on the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance. Addressing a joint press conference in Harare, the ZRP and Zimbabwe Defence Forces spokespersons shifted blame…
Switzerland should bar President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his delegation from entering their country, actor and human rights activist Silvanos Mugova has said. The Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his delegation will be arriving in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum Summit in Davos, amid torture, abductions, brutality by state apparatus (military, police, Central Intelligence Organisation…
The United Nations Human Rights Office of the Commissioner has said it is deeply troubled by the socio-economic crisis that is unfolding in Zimbabwe and the repression of large scale protests in the country, following the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices. “We call on the Government to find ways of engaging with the…
Several people have appeared in court in Zimbabwe after they were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers following anti-government protests held in the troubled southern African country over the deteriorating political and economic crisis. In Bulawayo, the first batch of five people, who were arrested by ZRP officers and charged with public violence as…
Soldiers were deployed to residential suburbs across towns and cities as the stay away called for by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions starting Monday 14 January 2019 turned violent. According to Generation Consensus, its activists on the ground reported widespread violation of rights by soldiers and police. The reported violations included abductions and torture,…
By Michael Mashiri The Government appears to be concentrating on strengthening its power and fighting political enemies than doing away with political corruption, Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) official has said. At a press conference held in the Harare yesterday, Mr Bekezela Gumbo, the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute Principal Researcher said, from the research they had conducted,…
Local human rights organisations have joined the people of Zimbabwe and the global community in the 2018 commemorations of the International Human Rights Day on 10 December. This year, the International Human Rights Day under theme “#StandUp4HumanRights” marks the 70thAnniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The…
By Owami Sithole The Zimbabwe Gender Commission slams sexual harassment of women in workplaces, tertiary institutions and in public places in celebration of 16 days of activism against gender based violence. The Chairperson of Gender Commission Mrs Margaret Mukahanana Sangarwe made the remarks as the institution celebrated the 28th anniversary of the commemorations running under…
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has urged women to report issues to do with sexual harassment to the Gender Commission or to the police. Speaking today at a march which was hosted by Katswe Sisterhood that was entitled; ‘Let’s march against harassment of woman in the streets, bogus taxis and unresponsive police force,’ Mrs Caroline Matiza…
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) youth league has noted with great concern the statement issued on the 4th of December 2018 by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) on the revision of the constitutional provision of the presidential age limit from 40 years to 52 years. “It is unfortunate that such statements…
According to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), authorities have summoned a 46 year-old woman to stand trial on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting the country’s ousted leader Robert Mugabe during his tenure as President. Flora Karosi of Karoi, Mashonaland West province was summoned to stand trial at Karoi Magistrates Court on…
By Miriam Zvomuya and Tendai Guvamombe African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) in conjunction with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) today hosted a regional conference on Intellectual Property management in Universities and Research and Development Institutions in Africa in the Capital. Running under the theme, “Fostering Creativity and Innovation…
By Nevson Mpofu. The Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST), Parliament of Zimbabwe and Katswe Sisterhood came to the Legal rescue of five girls who had previously been sexually , physically, emotionally abused and exposed to child labour while below the age of 18 years. The five girls Loveness Mudzuru, Ruvimbo Tsopodzi, Gladys Chihozhwa,…
By Veritas The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has released a series of reports about politically partisan distribution of food and other State aid before and after polling in the 30th July election. The ZHRC received numerous complaints over the manner in which food aid and agricultural inputs from the State were being distributed, and…
By Byron Mutingwende The youths have come up with issues of high priority code named Key Asks that they want the government and other stakeholders to address as a matter of urgency. This emerged at a breakfast meeting organised by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) that held in Harare on 15…
Thabani Dube Egypt, Cairo The Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) is set to launch an online platform connecting judiciary systems across Africa, in a move set to tackle challenges bedevilling the justice councils, it has emerged. In 2017, the SCC which is an independent specialised court, comprises of a President (or Chief Justice) and ten…
Joel Gabbuza, an opposition legislator has been charged with undermining authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa after he allegedly accused the ZANU PF party leader of being devoid of solutions to fix Zimbabwe’s economic crisis. Hon. Joel Gabbuza, the MDC-Alliance party legislator for Binga South constituency appeared in court on Monday 12 November 2018…
By ZLHR Information The trial of opposition political party leader Tendai Biti on charges of contravening the Electoral Act commenced on Monday 12 November 2018 with the human rights lawyer challenging the involvement of Michael Reza as the lead prosecutor. As trial commenced before Harare Magistrate Gloria Takundwa, Biti filed an application objecting to the…
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it is disturbed by comments attributed to Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema that any future anti-government demonstrations would be crashed. The minster is quoted in the government controlled The Herald newspaper of 7 November saying that Government has put in place security measures to deal with malcontents…
By Byron Mutingwende Investing in adolescents and young people is a critical ingredient for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a youth meeting held in Harare has revealed. The Youth Advocates Zimbabwe, National Aids Council and Ministry of Health and Child Care hosted the National High-Level Meeting to share best practices, innovations and skills…
By Byron Mutingwende Still basking in the glory of winning the coveted “Most Popular Religious Leader Award” by the Achievers Forum Zimbabwe, Sekuru Banda said society should respect and uphold women and girls sexual and reproductive health rights. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe, teenage pregnancy is one of the…
Econet Media sets the record straight Kwesé parent company Econet Media (Mauritius) says reports that it has lost a court case against the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) are malicious, misinformed and misplaced. Responding to reports in the Herald newspaper that the Supreme Court had ruled that “Econet Media (Mauritius) cannot distribute Kwese TV…
By Jacob Mafume (MDC Spokesperson) The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is shocked by the admission by the acting Prosecutor General Mr. Kumbirai Hodzi that he is captured by the Executive. Responding to a question on why he has not prosecuted 27 high profile cases in his locker, he clearly remarked that, “I get instructions…
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for human Rights (ZLHR) has reported that a local court has acquitted three villagers, who had been on trial for allegedly insulting a traditional leader, whom they had allegedly denounced for disapproving their support to an opposition political party. The three villagers namely Trymore Kutadzaushe, aged 34 years, Chipo Mushonga, aged 38…
Millions of African farmers still face legal restrictions on water access, dating back to colonial times, according to a study released this week. Researchers with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Pegasys Institute reveal the obstacles that smallholders face, including potential legal penalties, due to laws that originated and led to “water grabbing” in…
By Byron Mutingwende The Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ) has produced a publication focusing on the importance of upholding socio-economic rights of the citizens. Dr. Prosper Chitambara, while introducing the publication titled “Socio-economic rights in Zimbabwe: A Situational Analysis 1980–2018 “ to journalists in Harare on 30 October 2018, said…
By Byron Mutingwende Southern African countries are meeting in Pretoria to share notes on the current migration management project in a bid to find solutions to the complexity of the issue affecting the regional economic community. In his address during the stakeholders meeting, Dr. Joni Musabayana, the Director of the Decent Work Team…
Zimbabwean authorities have stepped up their crackdown against perceived opponents of President Emmerson Mnangagwa after arresting and charging a Bulawayo man with undermining authority of or insulting the ZANU PF party leader. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) reported that Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Friday 26 October 2018 arrested Wisdom Mkwananzi and…
Honourable Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira has been elected Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) representing Southern Africa. “The road has been long. I won against Hon Professor Lungwangwa who is the former Minister of Higher Education in Zambia in October last year. In May this year, I won against Dr. Penyo Butale of Botswana….
Members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe delegation designated to the Pan – African Parliament were yesterday sworn in as Members of the 5th Parliament of the Pan – African Parliament at an official function to mark the opening of the 1st Ordinary Session of the 5th Pan African Parliament at the Kigali Convention Centre in…
BY Miriam Zvomuya In its assessment of Zimbabwe’s 2018 elections, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) Deputy Chief Observer, Mr. Mark Stephens said most aspects of the plebiscite did not meet international standards. “As such, many aspects of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet international standards. We recommend that the Zimbabwe Electoral…
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) has condemned the recent human rights abuses by the police. The human rights violations were perpetrated in a bid to stop plans by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to demonstrate against tax hikes, increases in the prices of basic goods and the economic meltdown. Police arrested and…
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to the Republic of Zimbabwe presented yesterday its Final Report on the 30 July 2018 harmonised elections at a press conference in Harare. The report was presented on behalf of Chief Observer Elmar Brok, Member of the European Parliament, to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the government,…
By Byron Mutingwende An altercation in Harare Central Business District has turned fatal after a man suspected to be a member of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) pulled out a gun and fired a shot in the head of the person he was fighting with. The deceased is believed to be a person who…
By Michael Mashiri A woman has been dragged to court after beating his husbands’ mistress. Louis Mungami was taken to court last week after she was accused of beating his husbands’ mistress Elizabeth Mafuleka saying she had came to her house to disturb her peace. Mungami is alleged to have beaten Mafauleka in the 6th…
A Marlborough man has been dragged to court after he allegedly assaulted his naked girlfriend with an electric cable. Eliot Guzhuwo, was at the Harare Magistrate Court on Friday 5 October 2018 on accusations of assaulting his girlfriend Mitchell Matema with an electric cable whilst she was naked. Mitchell said she had come to Guzhuwo’s…
