As part of benchmarking visits to Nordic and Baltic countries, Hon Jacob F. N. Mudenda, the Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe’s delegation started its engagement in Latvia on 6th March 2024 with a Meeting with H.E. Ms. Daiga Mierina, Speaker of the Parliament of Latvia. The Hon. Speaker of Latvia warmly welcomed Speaker Mudenda’s delegation. The…
By Lloyd Rabaya Zimbabwe’s health and education service delivery is under scrutiny as the key sectors continue deteriorating, with rural populations suffering the most. Notwithstanding the deficit of the facilities nationwide, other issues were raised at a two-day Zimbabwe Coalition for Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) State of Local Authority Service delivery (Education and Health) workshop…
The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, is in Stockholm, Sweden where he is leading a Parliamentary delegation undertaking Benchmarking visits to Sweden, Latvia, and Finland from 4th to 11th March 2024. Speaker Mudenda was received at the airport by the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Sweden, Her Excellency, Ms Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga. The Hon….
A roadmap to restore normalcy at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has been set in motion following recommendations of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council with Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira tipped to retain the presidency of the continental legislative body in elections earmarked for this month. Hon. Lucia Dos Passos, Acting President of the…
By Lloyd Rabaya The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) has cried foul over the current socio-economic state that hinders them from running smoothly. According to the Zimbabwean constitution, “The State must take all practical measures to promote free and compulsory basic education for children and higher and tertiary education.” Yearly, the government allocates…
By Lloyd Rabaya The post-budget expenditure tracking workshop between the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) and Parliament of Zimbabwe has kicked off in Kadoma today. The workshop is scrutinising the much-criticised 2024 National budget which was presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube, while mainly focusing on education…
OWN CORRESPONDENT Harare businessman Tendai Mashamhanda will file an urgent chamber application against the Sherriff’s order for him to vacate his US$1.5 million mansion in Harare after Supreme Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu dismissed a case in which he opposed being evicted before a determination of his court The eviction order signed by M Kapesa,…
Joseph Panganai Kugara, a member of the Kwekwe Mining Association, an affiliate of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has approached the High Court to order Henrietta Rushwaya to quit her role as the ZMF President. Kugara approached the Masvingo High Court under Case number HCMSC89/24. The Zimbabwe Miners Federation is the first respondent. Henrietta Rushwaya…
Writes Lovemore Chazingwa The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Zimbabwe has expressed profound gratitude and, at the same time, humbled by the bold move South Africa took on the ongoing onslaught by Israel on the Palestinian people. Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency (H.E) Dr Tamer Almassri revealed this in a solicited interview…
The African Union’s Executive Council decision on the situation at the PAP effectively poured cold water on Hon. Ashebir W. Gayo’s plan to prolong his hold on power at the Pan African Parliament (PAP). The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on Wednesday transmitted some aspects of the Executive Council decision on the situation…
By Lloyd Rabaya The Government of Zimbabwe has, over the years, not made much progress in meeting the set targets of ratified global policies. This came out at an engagement meeting between Parliament Portfolio Committee (PPC) on Health and Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) yesterday. The most popular of the policies is the…
Tendai Mashamhanda, son of businessman Alex Mashamhanda popularly known as Mashwede, has brought to the fore judicial corruption pitting Chief Justice Luke Malaba in a US$1,5 million involving opposition-aligned lawyers Tendai Biti and Advocate Thabani Mpofu. A letter availed to a local publication dated February 9 2024 addressed to the JSC Chairperson, Zimbabwe Human Rights…
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has been educated to the effect that the Constitution of Zimbabwe does not limit the President of the National Council of Chiefs to be elected as the deputy president of the institution after serving two terms. Some sections of the local media had reported that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)…
Regional Caucuses of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) have written a letter of complaint to His Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Headquarters, and brought to his attention the unabated and flagrant disrespect of the AU Policy Organs as well as the sustained defilement of his directives, the PAP…
Own Correspondent Responding to a move by Zimbabwe’s cabinet to back the abolition of the death penalty, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farise, said: “Zimbabwe has taken the right step towards ending this abhorrent and inhuman form of punishment that has no place in our world. “Now that the…
ZANU (PF)’s Youth League Deputy National Political Commissar, Taurai Kundishaya, in his personal capacity, has urged the Parliament of Zimbabwe to establish a Social Media Regulation Board and Content Moderation Standards. In a letter addressed to the Clerk of Parliament, Kandishaya submitted a comprehensive proposal for the establishment of a dedicated Social Media Regulatory Board,…
OWN CORRESPONDENT Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court has quashed the convictions of two former executives of state-owned Air Zimbabwe who were convicted of fraud nine years ago. Former Air Zimbabwe chief executive Peter Chikumba and company secretary Grace Pfumbidzayi were found guilty of abuse of office for awarding a $10 million insurance contract to a local company…
The enactment of this new law represents a critical tool in the ongoing battle against sexual violations of minors, child marriages, and gender-based violence
The symposium will serve as a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to electoral justice among the participating nations.
The staff stated that they resorted to writing an open letter because they were prevented from appearing before the Task Force set up by the AUC Chairperson who visited South Africa in November 2023 by Hon. Dr. Gayo
When Cyclone Idai hit Chimanimani district in 2019, an estimated 340 people lost their lives while 279 were reported missing up to date.
With the legislation passed raising the age of consent to 18 years, Zimbabwe has taken a new step in dealing with sexual abuse of children, which remains too often silent
Under the new law in Zimbabwe, anyone having an extra-marital affair with a young person, including physical contact, soliciting or enticing a person below 18 years for extra-marital sexual intercourse would be found guilty
Writes Kumbirai Mafunda A top Zimbabwean retailer has been slapped with a US$30 000 lawsuit by a man, who is demanding payment of damages as compensation for causing his unlawful arrest and malicious prosecution over unfounded allegations of pilfery. In April 2023, Farai Chakawa, a resident of Victoria Falls in Matabeleland North province, who was…
Writes Kumbirai Mafunda Authorities at Mutare City Council (MCC) have procured and taken delivery of some fire tenders to enhance the local authority’s emergency response capabilities following a complaint filed against it by an aggrieved resident over poor service delivery. In August 2023, Ephraim Matanda, a resident of Mutare, engaged the services of Peggy Tavagadza and Tatenda Sigauke of Zimbabwe Lawyers…
Hon. Dr. Ashebir W. Gayo, the self-imposed Acting President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP)’s futile attempts to cause by-elections at the continental legislative body through a virtual meeting yesterday has been described as a damp squib. According to Dr. Gayo, the meeting was held to discuss the election modalities for filling vacant positions in…
Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – With fireworks and firecrackers lighting characterizing New Year celebrations, police have reiterated the need to use these with caution. Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the lighting of firecrackers and fireworks without police clearance is illegal. Addressing the media during a media engagement recently, Assistant Commissioner…
Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development has reviewed the date of the tobacco seedlings’ destruction for the 2023-24 season intending to curb the carryover of diseases and pests. “As all tobacco growers are aware, the last day of destroying all seedbeds for this season is 31 December 2023….
Writes Kumbirai Mafunda A lawyer has approached the High Court seeking an order for the dismissal of a prison officer, who is vigorously involved in partisan politics, in contravention of constitutional provisions that bar civil servants from engaging in active partisan politics. Harare lawyer Takudzwa Edward Mudzuri is also suing the Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe Prisons…
The government has put in place legal and policy frameworks backed by institutional mechanisms that are working towards Gender Based Violence prevention and response.
A High Court judge has struck off the roll an application by some villagers in Chishawasha seeking to stop the urbanisation process taking place in the area ruling that it was not urgent. In her judgement, delivered on the 7th of December 2023, High Court Judge Honourable Justice Emilia Muchawa ruled that the matter was…
The 80th Session of the Executive Committee and the 45th Conference of Presidents of National Parliamentary Assemblies of African the Parliamentary Union (APU) take place from the 11th to the 15th of December 2023, in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) is focusing on combating insecurity and terrorism, factors of political instability and recession, and the development of…
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) joined the Government of Zimbabwe and the rest of the world in commemorating International Human Rights Day which is observed on the 10th of December each year. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone…
Writes Marlvin Ngiza Buhera Residents Network Trust (BRNT) has called for increased attention and expedited response to child abuse cases in communities amid reports that some of the cases have been left unreported or unattended, especially in rural communities. In a message to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, BRNT Director Leonard…
The Judicial Service Commission is holding a Leadership Indaba in Victoria Falls from 6 to 10 December 2023 under the theme “Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of leadership in the Judicial Service through the implementation of the Strategic Plan.” “As the theme suggests, we have combined the Leadership Indaba as most of us know it…
The 54th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum was hosted by the Parliament of Mauritius from 22nd to 27th November 2023 under the theme: “The Role of Parliaments in Promoting Coordination for Enhanced Disaster Risk Reduction and recovery planning in the SADC region.” The meeting ended on a high note on Saturday 26th…
Writes Lovemore Chazingwa Thousands of protestors and hordes of organizations throughout South Africa continue to voice their concerns over the war in Gaza, demanding the immediate expulsion of Ambassador Eliav Belotserkovsky from their land. In a media statement, MP Nkosi Mandela applauded organizations that supported the vote to expel the apartheid Israeli ambassador, Belotserkovsky. He…
Zimbabwe is committed to the elimination of violence against women as demonstrated by the willingness of Parliament to join the international community in commemorating 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence running from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10 which itself is a Human…
The Network for Environmental and Climate Justice in collaboration with the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter held an Accountability for Water and Environment Symposium on 15 November 2023 in Harare. The symposium sought to enhance civic participation in water and environmental governance as well as…
Writes Pabalelo Tlou Margret Chogugudza, director of Rural Young Women Support Network says her NGO is determined to expose and seek solutions to the challenges that young women within the mining sector are experiencing on a daily basis. Speaking to this publication, Chogugudza said the main objective of the NGO is to bridge the gap…
There is a need for legislation that ensures that sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) are upheld, Katswe Sisthood has said. This came to the fore at a meeting to present the SRHR context to the Members of the Parliament’s Thematic Committees on 7 November 2023 in Harare. Talent Jumo, the Director of Katswe Sistahood painted…
Parliamentarians play an important role in effectively lobbying towards the achievement of the Malabo targets, Hon. Dr. John Kanyuithia Mutunga, MP for Tigania West Constituency, and Chairman of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee of the Kenyan National Assembly has said. He made the remarks during a plenary session to commemorate the 14th Africa Day for…
Responding to the continued detention of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader, Job Sikhala, who has spent 500 days in pretrial detention, Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa, said: “Job Sikhala’s prolonged detention while he awaits trial is a gross miscarriage of justice and an indictment of Zimbabwe’s judicial system….
Writes Baboloki Semele The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) have formally inaugurated a comprehensive three-year project aimed at providing support to AU member states in their efforts to integrate the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) and embark on transitional justice initiatives at the national level. The project, titled the Initiative for…
A workshop by various stakeholders in the agricultural value chain has brought to the fore the benefits and regulation architecture of biopesticides. The workshop is being held in Harare from 24 to 26 October 2023 under the auspices of the Southern Africa Biopesticides Project titled, Enhancing Trade Through Regulatory Harmonisation and Biopesticide Based Residue Mitigation…
