Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

THE country’s power generation capacity continues to improve with Government announcing that the synchronisation of Hwange Unit 8 is slated for 16 May, a development that is expected to ease load shedding and set the wheels of industry rolling seamlessly. Following the successful synchronisation of Unit 7 last month, Zesa Holdings recently announced a reduction in load shedding in response to

THE country’s power generation capacity continues to improve with Government announcing that the synchronisation of Hwange Unit 8 is slated for 16 May, a development that is expected to ease load shedding and set the wheels of industry rolling seamlessly. Following the successful synchronisation of Unit 7 last month, Zesa Holdings recently announced a reduction in load shedding in response to

Source: Zim’s Commonwealth bid in jeopardy –Newsday Zimbabwe

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to re-join the Commonwealth bloc could be in serious jeopardy after a grouping of lawyers within the bloc raised questions over the country’s deteriorating human rights situation.

This came as Mnangagwa yesterday insisted that the participation of European nations, the United States of America and the United Kingdom at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is an indication that his re-engagement drive is bearing fruit.

“The Americans are here, the British are here, the EU is here. What else would we want? Everybody is here. So this engagement and re-engagement policy is bearing fruit. Perhaps, they heard that the Majesty is coming. That’s why they are here,” Mnangagwa told journalists after touring exhibition stands at the ZITF which ends today.

In a statement, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) raised concern over the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment saying it was inconsistent with democratic principles.

CLA is an international non-profit organisation, which promotes the rule of law among Commonwealth member States.

The controversial Bill has since sailed through Parliament.

“For democracy to flourish, informed and tolerant debate is essential. Contrary views must be respected.

“Some events have occurred in Zimbabwe which causes concern to the CLA

“The Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment Bill, which has passed Parliament has attracted much comment,” the CLA said on Wednesday.

“The CLA considers the PVOs Bill to be inconsistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, stifling freedom of association and freedom of expression.

“The intrusive powers contained within the PVOs Bill will inhibit and curtail legitimate activities of civic society operating through private voluntary organisations, putting at risk the valuable social and economic contributions of such organisations.

“CLA encourages and supports initiatives, which allow the people of Zimbabwe to work together and unite to improve their personal circumstances, healthcare, and economic advancement through organisations in civic society and urges reconsideration of the PVOs legislation.”

When asked if it was possible for the government to consider calls by CLA to reconsider the PVOs Amendment Bill, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said, “No.”

Public Service ministry secretary Simon Masanga said: “It’s beyond me.”

Mnangagwa’s government applied to rejoin the Commonwealth on May 15, 2018.

The late former President Robert Mugabe quit the Commonwealth in 2003 after the grouping sought to extend sanctions against the country over human rights violations.

Last year, the Commonwealth snubbed Zimbabwe, but admitted two former French colonies, Gabon and Togo.

The controversial Bill has also been criticised by the United Nations and the United States.

The Bill will have the effect of criminalising the work of civil society organisations by proposing harsh penalties, including jail time of up to one year.

Source: Zim’s Commonwealth bid in jeopardy –Newsday Zimbabwe

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to re-join the Commonwealth bloc could be in serious jeopardy after a grouping of lawyers within the bloc raised questions over the country’s deteriorating human rights situation.

This came as Mnangagwa yesterday insisted that the participation of European nations, the United States of America and the United Kingdom at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is an indication that his re-engagement drive is bearing fruit.

“The Americans are here, the British are here, the EU is here. What else would we want? Everybody is here. So this engagement and re-engagement policy is bearing fruit. Perhaps, they heard that the Majesty is coming. That’s why they are here,” Mnangagwa told journalists after touring exhibition stands at the ZITF which ends today.

In a statement, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) raised concern over the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment saying it was inconsistent with democratic principles.

CLA is an international non-profit organisation, which promotes the rule of law among Commonwealth member States.

The controversial Bill has since sailed through Parliament.

“For democracy to flourish, informed and tolerant debate is essential. Contrary views must be respected.

“Some events have occurred in Zimbabwe which causes concern to the CLA

“The Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment Bill, which has passed Parliament has attracted much comment,” the CLA said on Wednesday.

“The CLA considers the PVOs Bill to be inconsistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, stifling freedom of association and freedom of expression.

“The intrusive powers contained within the PVOs Bill will inhibit and curtail legitimate activities of civic society operating through private voluntary organisations, putting at risk the valuable social and economic contributions of such organisations.

“CLA encourages and supports initiatives, which allow the people of Zimbabwe to work together and unite to improve their personal circumstances, healthcare, and economic advancement through organisations in civic society and urges reconsideration of the PVOs legislation.”

When asked if it was possible for the government to consider calls by CLA to reconsider the PVOs Amendment Bill, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said, “No.”

Public Service ministry secretary Simon Masanga said: “It’s beyond me.”

Mnangagwa’s government applied to rejoin the Commonwealth on May 15, 2018.

The late former President Robert Mugabe quit the Commonwealth in 2003 after the grouping sought to extend sanctions against the country over human rights violations.

Last year, the Commonwealth snubbed Zimbabwe, but admitted two former French colonies, Gabon and Togo.

The controversial Bill has also been criticised by the United Nations and the United States.

The Bill will have the effect of criminalising the work of civil society organisations by proposing harsh penalties, including jail time of up to one year.

Source: Current system of appointing judges problematic: Govt –Newsday Zimbabwe

GOVERNMENT is considering reverting back to an old system where the President had the sole responsibility to appoint judges arguing that the current system is ‘problematic.’

According to the 2013 Constitution, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) conducts public interviews for the selection of judges.

A list of nominees is then sent to the President after the interviews. The President may assent to the names or ask the JSC to submit a fresh roster.

However, speaking on the sidelines of the swearing-in of a tribunal to investigate Justice Martin Makonese’s suitability to remain in office, Justice Ministry permanent secretary Virginia Mabhiza said the current process of recruiting judges was tricky.

“We are very worried about the frequency of the tribunals because what it shows is that something needs to be done to improve the integrity of the judges,” Mabhiza said.

“You may recall or you may be aware that to date we have seen four judges leaving office through tribunals. My opinion is that perhaps in the appointment processes, you might be aware that in the past the President would appoint judges after considering a number of factors including integrity, honesty and all other virtues.

“Unfortunately, the new system of interviews seems to be bringing on board people who lack integrity.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has so far fired four judges for gross misconduct and incompetence. These are Francis Bere, Erica Ndewere, Thompson James Mabhikwa and Edith Mushore.

Justice Makonese quit this week immediately after Mnangagwa had sworn in the tribunal chaired by retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako to investigate his conduct.

Mushore, who was fired last year, had ruled that Luke Malaba had ceased to be Chief Justice upon reaching the age of mandatory retirement in 2022.

 “I am not saying that they lack integrity but one can make that conclusion as you can see the frequency at which judges are coming for tribunals. This is what is happening and it is quite worrying,” Mabhzia added.

“The old process was more thorough in the sense that most of the judges were tried and tested. Most of them were senior civil servants, having served with integrity and with a lot of knowledge on the subject matter. So I think it was more useful and serving the purpose.”

In 2021, human rights organisations petitioned United Nations Special Rapporteur, Diego Garcia-Sayan accusing Mnangagwa of undermining judicial independence.

The organisations — Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights — said Mnangagwa was amending the Constitution to give himself power to control the Judiciary.