Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
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Not guilty: Prophet T Freddy acquitted on fabricated rape and assault charges
Court Reporter Harare magistrate Gloria Takundwa has acquitted prominent clergy, Prophet T Freddy of rape and assault charges levelled against him by a bitter ex-lover who was obsessed with the idea of revenge, ruling that the State has failed to prove a prima facie case against him. The complainant, a 33-year old ZBC presenter, had…
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Churches raise red flag on some aspects of proposed PVO Bill
Church leaders under the banner of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) have expressed concern over some aspects of the proposed Private Voluntary Organization’s Amendment (PVO) Bill. The ZHOCD made up of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), and Union for Development of Apostolic and…
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Brendan Taylor banned under ICC Anti-corruption Code and Anti-doping Code
Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned from all cricket for three and a half years after he accepted breaching four charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and, separately, one charge of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. Mr. Taylor admitted to being in breach of the following provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code: Article 2.4.2 – Failing…
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T Freddy, rape accuser had a consensual sexual relationship: key state witness
Court Reporter A key state witness in the trial of Goodness and Mercy Ministries visionary and founder, Prophet T Freddy on rape accusations has told the court that there was nothing worth arresting the accused for when police officers were called to a meeting at Chief Chikwaka’s homestead because from the discussion it was clear…
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Chitrest sues Chitungwiza Municipality
By Ronnie Chisamba The Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest) is suing the Chitungwiza Municipality for contempt of court following the destruction of illegal vending and other business structures in Zengeza earlier last week – in total disregard of a court order which ruled against the demolition process. Speaking on behalf of Chitrest, Alice Kuvheya (the organization’s…
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T Freddy trial: Chief Chikwaka conceals details of the alleged rape incident
Court Reporter The trial of Goodness Mercy Ministries leader Tapiwa Freddy on rape charges took a new twist today with second witness Chief Chikwaka acknowledging in court to have concealed crucial evidence and giving a false narrative of the alleged rape incident in a recorded interview with an online news publication. Defence counsel, Everson Chatambudza…
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T-Freddy ‘rape fabrication’ defence audio played in court
Prophet T Freddy’s trial on rape accusations resumed yesterday at the Harare Magistrates Court, with an audio recording in which a female voice alleged to be that of the complainant being heard confessing to having fabricated rape charges to fix the accused, played in court as evidence. In the recording, a female voice believed to…
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Chief Justice’s State of the Judiciary Address
By Veritas On Monday 10th January 2022 the Chief Justice Luke Malaba officially opened the 2022 legal year and delivered his State of the Judiciary Address [SOJA]. The occasion ran with the theme for 2022: “Use of Technology to Enhance Efficiency and the Rule of Law in the Judiciary”. The complete address is available on…
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T-Freddy rape trial: Accuser claims ignorance of meaning of word “consent”
Court Reporter The trial of prominent cleric and musician Tapiwa Freddy on rape charges kicked off Thursday (yesterday) at the Harare Magistrates Courts with the defence team cross examining the alleged victim on details of the alleged rape. Freddy, who is accused of raping a 33-year old ZBC presenter under controversial circumstances as well as…
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Negligent driver imprisoned 12 months after 20 years of evading justice
Elliot Chinomwamwaza (44), who allegedly ran over and crippled a 7-year-old juvenile was finally convicted and faces 12 months imprisonment over a case that he evaded justice for 19 years. The driver appeared in court yesterday and was charged with 2 counts according to Section 52 (2) for negligent driving and section 6 (1) for…
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An accident victim claims fair justice
By Blessing Dzamara Chipo Zhento (26) is looking for fair justice after she was crippled at the age of 7 years in 2002 after being involved in a serious accident that occurred along First Street Road in Kuwadzana. “The accident occurred in 2002, whilst I was on my way from school with my colleagues. My…
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Campaigners petition government to commit to disability rights
A new campaign and petition calling on the Zimbabwe Government to make lasting commitments to people with disabilities were launched last month ahead of the second Global Disability Summit. The Summit will be held in February 2022 in Norway, to address the global needs of people with disabilities and ensure they are integrated into policies…
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Zim court exonerates Kuvheya over war claims
Chitungwiza Magistrate Gladys Moyo on Wednesday 24 November 2021 set free Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST) Director Alice Kuvheya after ruling that the charges she faced of inciting some residents to commit public violence were defective. Kuvheya was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on 14 June 2021 and charged with incitement to commit violence as…
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Ngarivhume scores first victory in challenge of prosecution over anti-looting demo
By Kumbirai Mafunda Harare Magistrate Vongai Guwuriro on Monday 22 November 2021 upheld an application for exception to charges of inciting people to commit public violence filed by opposition Transform Zimbabwe political party leader Jacob Ngarivhume and ordered the State to amend its charge sheet so that it clearly specifies the particularities which created the…
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President Ratifies African Charter on Democracy
By Veritas African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance Instrument of Ratification of the Charter Signed by President On 11 November 2021, Veritas was informed by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs that President Mnangagwa signed the Instrument of Ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance [hereinafter called “the Charter”].…
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Musasa petitions Parliament to craft law on mandatory sentencing on rape
Musasa – a Gender Champion and Women’s Organisation in Zimbabwe has been calling for a minimum mandatory sentence on rape to be applied in Zimbabwe. This year the organisation submitted a petition to the Parliament of Zimbabwe with the request to amend the Criminal Codification Act to make provisions for the minimum mandatory sentence. The…
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ZLHR rescues Chiadzwa villagers arrested for protesting against Chinese diamond miner
By Kumbirai Mafunda Twenty-eight Chiadzwa villagers were on Thursday 4 November 2021 released from prison custody after they were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers for allegedly protesting against Chinese diamond miner, Anjin Investments. The 28 Chiadzwa villagers, who included Robert Chiadzwa, a 90-year-old Headman, were arrested on Wednesday 3 November 2021, and charged…
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Desist from restricting basic freedoms: Crisis coalition orders government
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has noted with great concern, plans by the government to restrict freedom of speech and expression through the deployment of a cyber team to monitor citizens on social media. On November 4, 2021, Information Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa announced that the government had set up a cyber team to “monitor what people…
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African Disability Protocol platform to address PWDs challenges on the continent
The African Disability Protocol (ADP) is necessary to address the continent’s unique cultural practices, customs, and traditional beliefs that hinder people with disabilities (PWDs) from an opportunity for equal treatment and access to products and services. This emerged at a meeting held at Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare on 4 November 2021, to review the…
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Parliament pre-budget seminar kicks off in Victoria Falls amidst optimism for economic growth
Parliament’s pre-budget seminar for 2022 kicked off in the resort town of Victoria Falls today with the Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube predicting that the economy is on a growth trajectory with the gross domestic product (GDP) still projected to grow by 7.8% in 2021, attributed to favourable rainfall season, higher international mineral commodity…
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Legal Practitioners: Qualifications for Registration
By Veritas Legal practitioners (i.e. lawyers) have to possess certain qualifications before they can be registered and allowed to practise in Zimbabwe. The qualifications for registration are set by a body called the Council for Legal Education which is established in terms of the Legal Practitioners Act. Generally, persons are qualified to be registered if: · they have a…
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PAP engages SADC on upcoming AU Permanent Representative and Executive Council meetings
Senior representatives of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) had a meeting with President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi to brief and consult him in his capacity as the Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with regard to developments at PAP in view of the African Union (AU) Permanent Representative Council (Ambassadors) and Executive Council…
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World Day Against the Death Penalty
By Veritas The 10th of October is the World Day Against the Death Penalty and we need to ask ourselves the question: Where does Zimbabwe stand on this issue? The answer is that Zimbabwe has a President who has spoken out against the death penalty and we may be on the verge of bringing in a Bill…
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High Court Revokes Recall of Opposition MPs
By Veritas In a judgment handed down last Wednesday, a judge of the High Court, Justice Mafusire, ordered the reinstatement of six former opposition Members of the National Assembly who had had to vacate their seats on the ground that they no longer belonged to the party for which they were elected. The six are Kucaca…
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Cattle rustlers face full wrath of the law
By Joyce Mukucha The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka has communicated that Cabinet was concerned about the increase in the numbers of cattle rustlers and warned that measures were being put in place to ensure that the vice is curbed. He revealed this while presenting the update on…
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13th NANHRI Biennal Conference Set for November 2021
By Joyce Mukucha The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) in collaboration with the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), are geared to host the 13th NANHRI Biennial Conference virtually in Zimbabwe from 3-5 November 2021. In a statement, ZHRC said the 12th Biennial Conference which was hosted by the National Council for Human…
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EMA yet to receive EIA report from Heijin Mining Company
By Kumbirai Mafunda THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) says it is yet to receive an environmental impact assessment report from Heijin Mining Company, a Chinese mining company, which is on the verge of displacing several villagers from their ancestral land in Uzumba Maramba-Pfungwe. On 2 September 2021, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights…
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Nine High Court Judges Appointed
By Veritas Nine High Court judges have been appointed by President Mnangagwa on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission following the public interviews of 35 candidates conducted by the Commission. The new judges were sworn in by Chief Justice Malaba on Tuesday 29th September, the day after the appointments were announced. In alphabetical order…
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ZLHR petitions Matanga over indiscriminate throwing of teargas canisters
By Kumbirai Mafunda Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Thursday 30 September 2021 petitioned Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to furnish the human rights organisation with a written undertaking in which law enforcement agents shall be directed to desist from the prevalent practice of throwing teargas canisters into loaded public transportation vehicles.…
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ZUJ condemns police for wantonly arresting journalists
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) is disturbed by recent arrests of journalists in Zimbabwe and has condemned such acts. The condemnation comes after 10 journalists were arrested and detained at Harare Central Police station after the law enforcers picked them up while covering a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) stakeholders meeting at the commission’s Harare…
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Labour Amendment Bill approved
By Joyce Mukucha In pursuit of promoting worker empowerment and protection as well as regulating individual and collective employment relations, Cabinet has approved the Labour Amendment Bill. Speaking in a post-Cabinet briefing this Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said the Bill also provides for the rights to fair and…
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Citizens share their views on the Freedom of Information Act
By Spiked Online Media Reporter The Freedom of Information Act (FIA) came into law on the 11th of July 2020, its agenda being to facilitate the exercise of constitutional rights by citizens which include freedom of expression and freedom of media, and the right to access to information. This law repeals and replaces the Access…
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The Law is struggling to keep up with technology
By Jacob Kudzai Mutisi The Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill is awaiting the signature of the President of Zimbabwe to become law. The purpose of the bill is to consolidate cyber-related offences and provide for data protection with due regard to the Declaration of Rights under the Constitution and the public and national interest,…
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International Day of Sign Languages: Access to information fundamental for PWDs
Spiked Online Media Reporter The fact that access to information remains a fundamental right to people with disabilities comes to the fore as Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Sign Languages which runs under the theme ‘We sign for human rights. The International Day of Sign Language was…
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DWI Engages Government, CSOs to Strengthen Inclusion and Awareness for WGDs
By Joyce Mukucha Deaf Women Included (DWI) continues to foster collaboration among government, civil society organizations(CSOs), and women with disabilities oriented organisations as it strives to ensure that gender-based violence (GBV) against people with disabilities (PWDs), with the main focus being on women and girls with disabilities(WGDs) is curbed. The organisation is thriving to elevate…
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New court fulfils people’s aspirations for justice
By Elvis Dumba The completion of the New Judicial Services Commission Complex that houses both the Magistrate and High Courts fulfills the aspirations for access to justice by the Mashonaland West community. The sentiments were made by the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Virginia Mabhiza Speaking on the sidelines of…
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Progress on Pension, Complaints Commission, Forest & Cyber Bills
By Veritas Both Houses of Parliament met last week and will continue sitting this week, from yesterday. This bulletin gives a brief summary of what was achieved last week and what business faces both Houses this week. In the National Assembly Last Week [17th – 19th August] Bills Pension and Provident Funds Bill [link] – The Committee Stage…
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Justice For Anna Machaya: Law Reforms Need To Be Expedited To Protect Girls From Child Marriage
The case of a teenage girl who died while giving birth in Marange has prompted organisations like Plan International Zimbabwe and the Freedom of Rights Under Sovereign (FORUS) to issue statements encouraging lawmakers and stakeholders to expedite the crafting of laws that protect the girls from child marriage. In a statement yesterday, Plan International Zimbabwe…
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Hong Kong: Historic Vote to Treat Wildlife Crime as Serious and Organised
In an unprecedented move to combat wildlife trafficking, Hong Kong’s lawmakers yesterday voted in favour of an amendment bill that means certain wildlife offences will, for the first time, be treated as Serious and Organized crimes. The Bill incorporates wildlife crime offences into Hong Kong’s Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455), providing additional/appropriate…
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Crisis Coalition shocked by ZRP inaction on the case of Memory Machaya
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has said it is astonished by claims by the Minister of Justice, Ziyambi Ziyambi that the Zimbabwe Republic Police “is facing resistance” in investigating the case of a 14-year-old girl, Memory Machaya who died while giving birth at an Apostolic Church shrine in Marange early this month (August 2021). CiZC said…
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Judges urged to embrace ICTs in the delivery of justice
Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services told a gathering of judges who attended an ICT training workshop in Harare to use the knowledge gained for fair justice delivery. The workshop came at an opportune time when the importance of ICTs becomes more apparent particularly due to the…
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Don’t be a victim of Online Blackmail
By Jacob Kudzai Mutisi In Zimbabwe, everything is happening online. People are home and bored, so many are willing to do things that they will never do. Zimbabweans have accepted the use of mobile technology and no doubt, the internet, social media, and SMS have become part and parcel of our lives, which can be…
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The Police Amendment Bill
By Veritas Introduction This Bill proposes to bring the Police Act into conformity with the provisions of the Constitution. The Bill can be accessed on the Veritas website [link] as can the Act itself [link]. Importance of the Bill The Police Act [which we shall call the Act in this bulletin] regulates the appointment and discipline of police officers…
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Public Health Lock-down Order: Extension of Lock-down
By Veritas The thirty-first amendment to the Lock-down Order was published on the 30th July, in SI 210 of 2021, and can be accessed on the Veritas website [link]. Its effect is simply to extend the Level IV lock-down until the 10th of August, i.e. until after the Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day weekend. The special lock-downs…
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New High Court Rules
By Veritas New High Court Rules were published by SI 202 of 2021 in the Gazette last Friday, replacing the High Court Rules, 1971, which have been in force for 50 years and have been amended nearly 40 times. They also replace the following rules: · the High Court (Criminal) Rules of 1964 · the High Court of…