The second ordinary session of the fifth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament will take place in Midrand, from Monday the 6 to 17 May 2019. The President of the Republic of Madagascar, H.E Andry RAJOELINA, is expected to address the Plenary during the opening ceremony scheduled for Monday the 6 May, at the precincts located at…
By Veritas The Education Amendment Bill The parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education is currently holding public hearings on the Education Amendment Bill, which was published earlier this year. In this Bill Watch Veritas analyses the Bill in order to assist the Committee and interested parties debate it at the public hearings. Education…
An independent pathologist on Friday 12 April 2019 conducted a post-mortem examination on the body of Witness Mashereni, who died last month under mysterious circumstances after his family’s lawyers successfully petitioned the High Court to be granted access to conduct the autopsy to ascertain the cause of death. Witness’s father Christopher Mashereni, engaged the services…
By Courts correspondent Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi’s appeal against flamboyant Harare business Genius Kadungure’s acquittal on charges of fraud recently fell by the wayside after the top prosecutor’s application seeking leave to appeal was dismissed by the High Court. Kadungure was last year charged alongside Wicknell Chivayo on two counts of fraud but the later…
By Veritas The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa is commonly called the Maputo Protocol as it was adopted in Maputo, Mozambique, in July 2003. It entered into force in November 2005 after 15 of the then 53 African States had ratified it. To date out…
A lawyer and some aides for tormented opposition party leader and human rights lawyer Tendai Biti on Wednesday 10 April 2019 pleaded not guilty to charges of violating the country’s immigration laws when their trial commenced before Karoi Provincial Magistrate Sam Chitumwa. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights (ZLHR) reported that Hon. Biti’s lawyer Nqobizitha…
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have reported that Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Senator Cain Mathema and Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi risk serving a three-month jail term after they were convicted of contempt of court by the High Court for ignoring the court’s order for them to pay US$18 075 to pro-democracy campaigner Cynthia…
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Africa Disability Alliance (ADA) are set to embark on regional consultative meetings aimed at paving way for an African Model Disability Law. The consultative engagements will be held from 7 to 13 April 2019 in Morocco and Kenya. These consultations follow the adoption of a resolution of a Draft…
Children’s rights proponent, Nyaradzo Mashayamombe has said the new Education Bill that the government of Zimbabwe recently gazetted provides hope for the more than 27% children of school going age who are currently out of school. Mashayamombe said the chief reason for children failing to go to school is the inability by their parents or…
By Obert Masaraure – ARTUZ President Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ notes the strides made by government in modernising our education system through the education act amendment bill of 2018. We note the thrust of improving accessibility of education through the emphasis of state funded basic education. We however noted gaps in addressing…
Ghana has become the twelfth (12) African Union (AU) member state to ratify the Protocol to the constitutive act of the AU relating to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), also known as the Malabo Protocol. The Malabo Protocol is intended to extend the powers of the PAP into a fully-fledged legislative organ. It requires a minimum…
THE Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN) has welcomed the recent announcement made by the Government that it wants to repeal a legal provision that criminalises wilful transmission of HIV/AIDS to a partner in keeping in line with global trends and standards. Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi said the proposed amendments…
The African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security has appealed to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Legislators to encourage member states to sign, ratify and domesticate the instruments presented by the African Union. Commissioner Smail Chergui addressed the Permanent Committees of the fifth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament that took place in Midrand, South Africa. Putting emphasis on the…
There appears to have been a major increase in crime, including violent crime, in Harare, judging by reports received by Safeguard Security from its customers and other sources. In an update to customers, Safeguard said that the number of incidents of theft or attempted theft or robbery in Harare reported to it in February was…
The Zimbabwe lawyers for Human Rights has reported that authorities have arrested and charged a man with undermining authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa after he allegedly stated that he disliked him for mismanaging the country’s economy. 32 year-old Farai Gwaza of Dindi village in Pfungwe, Mashonaland East province was arrested early this month…
By Byron Mutingwende Available statistics have shown that women with disabilities often suffer double or triple discrimination in society, a workshop by Deaf Women Included revealed. In his presentation on issues and policy gaps affecting women with disabilities at a workshop held in Harare on 4 March 2019, Professor Lincoln Hlatywayo, a Senior Lecturer of…
VERITAS Zimbabwe has launched an Interactive Women’s Platform. It will provide information on the rights and status of women in Zimbabwe and also information on where to turn and what legal options are available if women feel their rights are being violated or ignored. Women who interact on the platform will become more knowledgeable on…
The workshop, co-organised with the African Business Law Firms Association (ABFLA) under the African Legal Support Facility Academy, was held in Accra, Ghana, from 14-15 February, 2019 The African Legal Support Facility (www.AfLSF.org) has completed a two-day workshop for African lawyers and government negotiators, aimed at strengthening their capacity to negotiate complex deals involving investments…
By Veritas Introduction A document purporting to emanate from the Public Relations Directorate at Army Headquarters has been circulating on social media, warning the public that the ZNA (the Zimbabwe National Army) will be conducting “snap searches” in residential areas in order to find stolen army uniforms and similar clothing. The document states that the…
The Zimbabwe Layers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has reported that MDC-Alliance Vice-Chairperson Hon. Tendai Biti has filed an appeal in the High Court challenging his conviction and sentence for contravening some provisions of the Electoral Act. Hon. Biti filed the appeal against both conviction and sentence after Harare Magistrate Gloria Takundwa on Monday 18 February…
Following an extensive and comprehensive forensic audit carried out by a reputable international audit firm, the Amnesty International Zimbabwe Board (AIZ Board) has uncovered evidence of serious fraud and financial mismanagement by individuals in Amnesty International Zimbabwe. In response to these findings, the AIZ Board has notified the appropriate national law enforcement agencies and commenced…
By Byron Mutingwende The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) has called for responsible mining, improved disaster management, safety and health following flash floods that killed artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) at Battlefield Mine last week. “We should find solutions about responsible mining, disaster management, preparedness, safety and health within the artisanal and small-scale…
UN Women in Zimbabwe and the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe have formed a partnership to accelerate the end of child marriage in the country. The partnership, agreed to in January 2019, led to the participation of three members of the Chiefs Council, led by the President Chief Fortune Charumbira, in high level meetings on ‘Transforming…
By Kumbirai Mafunda Harare Magistrate Gloria Takundwa on Monday 18 February 2019 sentenced human rights lawyer and MDC-Alliance Vice-Chairperson Hon. Tendai Biti to pay $200 fine after convicting him for contravening some provisions of the Electoral Act. Magistrate Takundwa convicted Hon. Biti after ruling that the State had managed to prove its case against the…
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…
