Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
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Legislators call for establishment of the Disability Commission
Members of Parliament have proposed to amend the constitution to pave the way for a Disability Commission so that People with Disabilities (PWDs) issues in the country are adequately addressed. This came out clearly during this year’s access to Information Communication Technology (ICTs) by People with Disabilities Indaba organised by Signs of Hope Trust held…
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Swedish Embassy in Strategic Partnerships in Economic Empowerment, Environment and Climate Change
The Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe’s partnerships are driven by the strategic imperative to create space for the pursuit of new strategic areas, particularly within Economic Empowerment and Environment and Climate Change. The remarks, through a press release, come as the Embassy has been made aware of an article circulating published by The Mirror, 28…
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All hands on deck to revive PAP: President-elect, Chief Charumbira
President-elect of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), Chief Fortune Z. Charumbira has said it is now time to put behind unnecessary fights for positions and bring together all stakeholders to revive the continental legislative body in pursuit of sustainable development. Chief Charumbira was re-elected as President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) at the recently concluded…
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Gayo, Sampa fail to stop Chief Fortune Charumbira from contesting PAP Presidency
Following defeat by Hon Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira in the bid to represent the Pan African Parliament (PAP)’s Southern Region Caucus, Hon Miles Sampa, a legislator from Zambia, working with his erstwhile comrade, Hon Ashebir Gayo of Ethiopia, made frantic efforts to block today’s candidate for the top post of the continental legislative body in…
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148th Assembly of IPU spotlights importance of parliamentary diplomacy
Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, Speaker of Parliament, and Hon. Mabel Memory Chinomona, President of the Senate are currently in Geneva, Switzerland attending the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) being held under the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for peace and understanding”. The spring edition of the IPU Assembly has drawn over…
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Blow for Miles Sampa as Court dismisses suit seeking to stop PAP Bureau election
Pan African Parliament Presidential hopeful, Miles Sampa was left with egg on the face after a South African High Court in Gauteng on Thursday, dismissed the suit filed by a member of Botswana delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Hon. Christian Greeff against the Clerk of the PAP, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo and the Chairperson of the Southern Region…
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Miles Sampa faces defeat, engages court to disrupt PAP elections
Zambia’ Matero Member of Parliament from the Patriotic Front, and Pan African Parliament (PAP) Committee and Public Accounts (CAPA) Committee Chairman, Miles Sampa, who has developed cold feet in the face of imminent defeat by Chief Fortune Charumbira for the presidency of the continental lawmaking body, has approached the High Court of South Africa, through…
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UN hails Zimbabwe government’s stance on persons with disabilities
Harare – The government of Zimbabwe has been hailed for mainstreaming disability issues through the gazetting of the Persons with Disabilities Bill which will go a long way in upholding the principle of aiding meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all facets of life. Ms. Fiona Adolu, a representative from the United Nations (UN)…
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Budget monitoring key in addressing social issues
By Lloyd Rabaya Epworth, a dormitory town in south-eastern Harare, is one of the towns with high crime rates, poverty, and squalor. With a population of above 200 000 people according to the 2022 national housing census, the town is also a harbour of child pregnancies, prostitution, drug and substance abuse, unemployment and poor service…
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Parliaments of Latvia and Zimbabwe strengthen bilateral ties
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…
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Rural districts health and education services in sorry state
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…
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Parliament of Zimbabwe on benchmarking visit to Baltic and Nordic countries
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.…
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Pan African Parliament sets roadmap to restore normalcy as Charumbira is tipped to retain Presidency
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…
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Education ministry cries foul over socio-economic distress
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…
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Post-budget expenditure tracking workshop kicks off in Kadoma
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…
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Tendai Mashamhanda to file urgent application against eviction
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,…
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Kugara approaches High Court to have Henrietta Rushwaya fired as ZMF President
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…
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Palestine humbled by South Africa’s bold move against Israel
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…
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AU Executive Council pours cold water on Gayo’s attempts to usurp power at PAP
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…
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Zimbabwe sleeping on ratified health policies
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…
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Tendai Biti, Chief Justice Malaba urged to address Mashwede corruption concerns
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…
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Constitution does not limit President of Chief’s Council to be elected as Deputy: ZEC educated
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)…
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PAP Regional Caucuses Chairpersons Urge African Union to stop Gayo from destroying Parliament
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…
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Zimbabwe: Cabinet’s move to abolish death penalty marks progress
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…
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Establish Social Media Regulatory Board and Content Moderation Standards: ZANU (PF)’s Taurai Kundishaya
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,…
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Former Air Zim executives win appeal
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…
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Monica Mutsvangwa comments on gazetted law to protect children and young persons
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
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Judicial Service Commission to host a regional symposium on Electoral Justice
The symposium will serve as a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to electoral justice among the participating nations.
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PAP Staff bemoan their fate under Gayo, petition AU policy organs
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
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Cyclone Idai: 279 people missing in Chimanimani to be declared dead
When Cyclone Idai hit Chimanimani district in 2019, an estimated 340 people lost their lives while 279 were reported missing up to date.
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Raising the age of consent to 18 years reduces abuse of children: UNICEF
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
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AU’s Chido Mpemba hails President Mnangagwa’s stance on ending child marriages
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
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Top retailer slapped with US$30 000 lawsuit over abuse of customer
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…
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Cornered Mutare City Council acts on poor service delivery after resident’s complaint
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…
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Dr. Ashebir W. Gayo’s power grabbing shenanigans at PAP a damp squib
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…
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Police clearance needed for fireworks and firecrackers
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…
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Farmers urged to destroy tobacco seedlings to prevent carryover of diseases and pests
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.…
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Lawyer hits prison officer with lawsuit over partisan conduct
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…
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National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence (2023-2030) launched
The government has put in place legal and policy frameworks backed by institutional mechanisms that are working towards Gender Based Violence prevention and response.
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Judge throws out Chishawasha villagers’ appeal
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…
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African Parliamentary Union meeting tackles terrorism, economic challenges and trade
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…
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ZHRC commemorates 2023 International Human Rights Day
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…
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Handle child abuse cases with urgency
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…
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Judicial Service Commission holds 2023 Leadership Indaba
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…
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SADC Parliamentary Forum urges socio-economic and regional integration
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…