Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
AT least eight Bills sailed through Parliament late last year and have since been signed into law by President Mnangagwa, while 15 others were outstanding as the curtain came down on an eventful parliamentary sitting in December.
Parliament adjourned until February, but its legislative agenda had been hectic as it used legislation as a vehicle for attaining national goals.
Notable among laws that were passed include the Death Penalty Abolition Act and the Private Voluntary Organisation Act.
The President received a standing ovation at international platforms this year for promulgating the Death Penalty Abolition Act, which seeks to remove the death penalty, a decision that was felt to be in line with global trends that have removed capital punishment in legal statutes as a way of valuing the sanctity of life.
Among those who hailed President Mnangagwa for the removal of capital punishment was Roman Catholic Church leader Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City in August this year, during a bilateral meeting the two leaders held.
While President Mnangagwa signed the law on December 31, 2024, the celebrations were pronounced this year and the decision was hailed by many who said it aligned with international human rights standards, recognising the death penalty as cruel and a denial of human dignity, with no proven deterrent effect.
At least 60 prisoners on death row have been appearing before the High Court for resentencing as their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
Another law that was promulgated is the PVO Act, which seeks to ensure that the country complies with the recommendations of the Financial Action Taskforce to prevent the abuse of charities for the financing of criminal and terrorist activities.
It will also streamline the administration, accountability and transparency of charity organisations and provide a more detailed definition and interpretation of terms used in the principal Act.
Another law that sailed through was the Broadcasting Services Act, which compels motorists to first procure a radio license before buying a vehicle license and motor insurance.
The law will go a long way in supporting the national broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, in discharging its national mandate after years of a subdued resource mobilisation framework.
There is also the Parks and Wildlife Act, which was signed into law last month.
The law will create a fund to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict, ensure greater community involvement in resource management and professionalise wildlife experts.
There is also the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe Act, which seeks to address gaps in the Civil Aviation Act that were identified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation in 2019.
Other laws were promulgated are the Finance and Appropriation Act, meant to give legal effect to the 2025 national budget and associated fiscal policy measures.
There is also the Pipelines Amendment Bill that now awaits Presidential assent after it sailed through Parliament recently.
Its objective is to significantly boost energy pipeline security by banning all activities within pipeline reserves, imposing harsher penalties for damage or sabotage, and strengthening inspection/maintenance rules to protect crucial energy infrastructure from theft and terrorism, making offences non-bailable and potentially increasing punishments.
The proposed law is part of broader efforts to secure fuel supply lines, giving more power to central Government officers for enforcement.
There are at least 15 outstanding Bills which Parliament will have to content with this year.
Notable Bills include the much talked about Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which has been on the cards, getting in and out of Parliament for different reasons, ranging from its procedural lapse, while in another instance, President Mnangagwa declined to sign it after expressing reservations on certain clauses.
Currently, the Bill is before Parliament and it is one of the Bills that President Mnangagwa implored legislators to dispose of when he officially opened the Third Session of the 10th Parliament.
The Bill is, however, set to face another procedural delay after the Parliamentary Legal Committee issued an Adverse Report on it, which will now require the relevant Minister to address them.
There is also the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Amendment Bill, which is still under consideration.
The Bill seeks to impose stiffer penalties on those who are convicted of examination malpractice, such as cheating.
There is also the Medical Services Amendment Bill, which has since sailed through the National Assembly and is now heading for the Senate.
Other Bills include the Insurance and Pensions Commission Amendment Bill, which is currently at the Second Reading stage in the National Assembly.
Another notable Bill is the Public Service Amendment Bill, which seeks to introduce major reforms for Zimbabwean civil servants, including mandating resignation upon entering politics, granting 98 days of paid maternity leave, prohibiting workplace violence and requiring asset disclosures for public servants to align with the Constitution.
The Tourism Amendment Bill seeks to establish a standalone Tourism Fund, as the Government pushes to transform the sector into a US$5 billion industry.
Presently, tourism and hospitality industry players contribute 2 percent of their revenue to a fund managed by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
The proposed law aims to create a separate Tourism Fund that will enhance governance, transparency and accountability, while also providing resources to market local tourism offerings and support struggling operators.
Parliament is also considering the State Service Pension Fund Bill which establishes a fund to ensure members enjoy a decent standard of living in their retirement through provision of pensions, gratuities and other benefits.
This comes as the State seeks to boost financial and social security for eligible retired civil servants.
Presently, retired civil servants receive the bulk of their pension through a pay-as-you-go scheme.
Other outstanding Bills include the Climate Change Management Bill, Insurance and Pensions Amendment Bill, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Amendment Bill, Occupational Safety and Health Bill, Biological and Toxin Weapons Crimes Bill, Postal and Telecommunications Amendment Bill, Police Amendment Bill and Drug Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Urgency Bill.
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