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Source: ‘Churches must fight child abuse, early marriages’ -Newsday Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO, Jun. 3 (NewsDay Live) – Stakeholders in child protection and HIV response have called for stronger community action against child abuse, neglect and early marriages, warning that silence within families, churches and communities continues to expose children to exploitation.

Speaking during a media tour at Mawaba Primary School in Lobengula West, National AIDS Council (NAC) Bulawayo provincial manager Sinatra Nyathi said addressing child protection challenges requires a collective effort from all sectors of society.

Nyathi said some cultural practices and the reluctance of certain communities to seek medical services were increasing the vulnerability of girls and children.

“This issue is not only about marrying off young girls, but also about cultures where some people do not go to hospitals or enrol for antenatal care,” said Nyathi.

“It cannot only be the responsibility of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. All government ministries, including the Department of Social Development, must work together because they are responsible for child protection.”

She said churches also needed to play a more active role in ending abuse and harmful practices.

Nyathi called for increased support for the “Not In My Church” campaign, saying it requires more resources to effectively engage religious institutions.

“These things are happening within our churches and we want to make sure everyone embraces the campaign,” she said.

“We are also saying ‘Not In My Household’ because change must start at family level. If I am a church member and I say ‘not in my household’, then I should not allow abuse or harmful practices to happen within my own family.”

Nyathi said NAC was ready to strengthen support for awareness campaigns targeting churches and communities.

Magwegwe NAC district coordinator Kenneth Ncube said faith-based organisations were already working together through an interfaith forum that monitors activities within religious institutions and promotes child protection awareness.

“We have what is called a faith-based organisations forum made up of leaders from various religious sectors,” said Ncube.

“We have Christians, Pentecostals, Muslims and traditional healers. Traditional healers are custodians of traditional faith and are part of this structure.”

Ncube said the forum meets quarterly and operates under agreed terms of reference aimed at monitoring churches, sensitising congregations and responding to reported misconduct.

“If there are any misdeeds coming from churches, they are reported to this forum and action is taken,” he said.

Mawaba Primary School headmistress Nokuthula Sibanda said the school continues to assist vulnerable learners facing neglect, abuse and poverty.

Sibanda said teachers regularly engage parents through meetings and awareness programmes to educate families on child protection issues.

“We try to assist children who are neglected or abused by engaging parents and supporting less privileged learners where possible,” she said.

She said that in severe abuse cases, the school works with law enforcement agencies and victim-friendly units to ensure affected children receive assistance.

Sibanda recalled a case involving a learner who disclosed sexual abuse during a classroom lesson, prompting intervention from authorities.

“The child was assisted and continues with school,” she said.

Stakeholders at the tour stressed that ending child abuse and early marriages requires stronger cooperation among schools, churches, communities, government departments and civil society organisations.

The discussions followed questions from journalists on efforts to address churches and religious sects that continue to promote child marriages despite laws prohibiting the practice.

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Source: Mutsvangwa reveals Zanu PF 2028 fears  -Newsday Zimbabwe

ZANU PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has revealed the ruling party’s fears over a potentially vulnerable leadership transition in 2028, arguing that extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030 will safeguard the party from losing power during a succession handover.

Mutsvangwa made the remarks during a Press conference on Monday ahead of the first reading of the controversial Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill in Parliament yesterday.

His comments come at a time when Zanu PF is battling internal divisions over proposals to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond the constitutionally-prescribed two five year-term limit, with growing tensions between rival factions positioning themselves ahead of the anticipated 2028 succession battle.

Drawing an analogy with a relay race, Mutsvangwa said the period power was expected to change hands in 2028 was identified by the party’s opponents as a moment of weakness.

“When you are in a relay race, the point of vulnerability is when the stick is being handed from the previous runner to the next runner. That is the point of vulnerability,” he said.

“In 2028, some detractors have earmarked it as a point of opportunity for enemies… when the stick is going to be handed, they can find a way to snatch it so that the winning team loses the race or loses direction. And the winning team is one of the President [Mnangagwa].”

The remarks spark fresh criticism from opponents of the Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill, who argue that the proposed changes are designed to postpone an inevitable succession contest within the ruling party rather than serve the national interest.

Mutsvangwa argued that keeping Mnangagwa in office until 2030 ensures continuity and stability while strengthening the party at what he described as a critical moment.

“It is very important that the party’s authority and its leadership’s authority be strong at that point in 2028 because that would be the point of vulnerability,” he said.

“What our population has done in demonstrating where it stands in support of President ED Mnangagwa to continue to 2030 is an affirmation of the fact that the party is strong.”

He claimed Mnangagwa enjoyed overwhelming support and suggested that those considering legal challenges against the amendment had been discouraged by the President’s popularity.

The Zanu PF spokesperson directed a message to ambitious party members believed to be eyeing the presidency after Mnangagwa’s departure, urging them to shelve their aspirations.

“There may be some who may have looked at 2028 as an opportunity to exercise ambition. It’s legitimate within the party to have ambition,” he said.

“But when things have gone the way they are within the party about the support of the President, we expect that ambition to respond with humility.

“For the time being, look at what the people said by their participation in CAB 3 and curtail your ambitions accordingly.”

Critics argue that the Bill seeks to undermine constitutionalism by altering key provisions of the Constitution for Zanu PF’s political convenience.

Among other contentious proposals are provisions that allow the President to appoint judges without undergoing public interviews and extend the tenure of senior judges beyond the current retirement age.

If approved by the National Assembly, the Bill will proceed to the Senate for consideration before being sent to the President for assent.

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Source: Patriot Act stands, critics warn of State overreach -Newsday Zimbabwe

THE Constitutional Court (ConCourt) has refused to confirm a High Court ruling that struck down part of the Patriot Act, a controversial law criminalising participation in meetings that discuss sanctions against Zimbabwe, among other issues.

A ConCourt bench consisting of Justices Antoine Guvava, Paddington Garwe, Rita Makarau, Annie Gowora, Ben Hlatshwayo, Bharat Patel and Susan Mavangira said the lower court’s decision was irregular. It further ruled that the ruling lacked legal foundation, though it acknowledged concerns about the drafting of the provision.

The case was brought by journalists Valentine Maponga and Paidamoyo Muzulu, together with civic group Veritas, who argued that section 22A of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act violates constitutional rights to free expression, association and a fair trial.

They said the provision was vague and risked criminalising mere attendance at international meetings where sanctions are discussed.

The High Court last year dismissed challenges to section 22A(2), which penalises citizens who engage foreign governments to plan military intervention or overthrow the government.

It, however, declared section 22A(3) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act unconstitutional, finding that the phrase “intentionally partake” was undefined and could expose journalists and civic actors to liability simply for being present.

On review, the ConCourt held that the application before the High Court was “incurably irregular” and that the applicants had not demonstrated standing under section 85 of the Constitution.

Justice Garwe, writing for the bench, said: “The declaration of invalidity that it made was not consistent with the law and cannot, therefore, be confirmed.”

The judges, nevertheless, addressed the substance of the dispute, citing the need for legal certainty.

“Declining confirmation on the basis, for example, that the application in the court a quo was irregular … would not result in legal certainty, as the need for clarity on the constitutional validity of the invalidated law would remain. Ultimately, it is this consideration that must prevail,” Justice Garwe wrote.

The applicants had argued that the penalties which include a fine, imprisonment, revocation of citizenship and disqualification from voting or holding public office were disproportionate.

They warned that the law could chill civic participation.

“The gravamen of the decision a quo was that the section was vague and therefore unconstitutional,” their heads of argument stated, adding that the penalties were “disturbingly disproportionate to the offence created by the impugned law.”

Parliament defended the amendment, saying it mirrored provisions in other countries and was necessary to deter citizens from lobbying foreign governments for sanctions.

It argued that Zimbabwe had suffered from restrictions imposed by the United States and Europe, and that the law was intended to protect sovereignty.

The High Court agreed with applicants that section 22A(3) was afflicted by vagueness, noting the concession by State counsel that “intentionally partake” was inserted in error.

It ruled that penalties such as revocation of citizenship and disqualification from voting were inconsistent with constitutional guarantees.

But the ConCourt took a different view.

While acknowledging the drafting flaw, it emphasised that the law’s objective was to protect Zimbabwe’s sovereignty from external interference.

“Other considerations must remain subsidiary to this overarching requirement,” Justice Garwe wrote, stressing that the court must ensure clarity on constitutional validity even when applications are procedurally defective.

The ruling leaves section 22A(3) intact, though the court’s remarks highlight the tension between national security legislation and constitutional rights.

Justice Garwe concluded: “A decision to decline confirmation may, therefore, be predicated on just one or several bases, be they procedural or substantive… irrespective of whether or not one basis may, ordinarily, be fully dispositive of the matter on its own.”

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Source: Ebola alert as Hurungwe activates emergency preparedness -Newsday Zimbabwe

HURUNGWE district has activated emergency Ebola preparedness systems amid growing concern that its location along Zimbabwe’s main north-south highway corridor leaves it vulnerable to cross-border infection risk.

An emergency risk management meeting held in Karoi this week brought together district hospital officials, health teams and stakeholders from several government ministries.

The move follows confirmation by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the World Health Organisation of an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. Cases and deaths have been recorded in health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Unlike previous Ebola strains, Bundibugyo has no licensed vaccine or approved treatment, making prevention and surveillance critical.

District medical officer Munyaradzi Chidaushe said Hurungwe could not afford to be complacent because of its proximity to major regional transport routes.

“We must be geared as it is spreading rapidly and we must be prepared as we are not spared. Karoi is near Chirundu and it is within the regional corridor from South Africa to the northern territory, including Zambia, DRC, Tanzania and Uganda,” he said.

District officials confirmed that an isolation centre has been established at Chirundu Border Post, about 180km from Karoi.

Health authorities are screening travellers at Chirundu, with officials warning that cross-border movement increases the risk of transmission.

Hurungwe RDC official Raymond Chetse said port health posts were operational and staff were undergoing training. He said Chirundu remained the key focus because it handled thousands of trucks and informal traders daily.

District development coordinator Andrew Tizora warned that increased movement associated with the tobacco marketing season heightened exposure risk.

“Movement of people puts the town at risk. We must start the ball rolling with companies checking temperatures at buying points,” he said.

Tizora called for an isolation centre in Karoi, arguing that the district should not rely solely on facilities at Chirundu.

Meanwhile, Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike urged the Health ministry to strengthen coordination with development partners and enhance surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, case management, logistics and border health services.

“Screening of travellers should be enhanced at high-risk points of entry,” Rusike said, adding that authorities should also counter misinformation through timely and accurate public communication.

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Source: Tshabangu-led MPs weigh support for constitutional changes  –Newsday Zimbabwe

THE Sengezo Tshabangu-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has revealed that it will convene a caucus next week, aimed at decided its final position on amendments to the Constitution.

The high-stakes meeting, scheduled for June 10, comes a week following the resumption of parliamentary sittings to debate the contentious Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3).

CAB 3 seeks to extend the terms of office of the President, Members of Parliament and councillors from five to seven years. If adopted, the changes would effectively extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s current term by two years, taking it to 2030. The Bill also proposes replacing the one-person-one-vote presidential election system with a model in which Parliament elects the President.

The proposals have sparked intense political debate, with critics arguing that such far-reaching constitutional amendments require a referendum. Zanu PF and some parliamentary voices, however, maintain that a referendum is not necessary.

In a statement yesterday, CCC interim national spokesperson Nqobizitha Mlilo urged party legislators to engage in constructive and respectful debate despite differing views on the Bill.

“While robust debate on CAB 3 is both expected and necessary, it is essential that differing views are engaged with respect and reason,” Mlilo said.

“In a democratic republic, responsible leaders must be able to disagree without division, especially on matters of national constitutional importance.”

Political observers, however, say the Tshabangu-led faction has increasingly aligned itself with the ruling Zanu PF party, raising questions about its independence and political direction.

Mlilo called for broader political dialogue, urging Zanu PF to make concessions that enable what he described as “broad-based agreement” on constitutional reform.

“Zimbabwe requires sincere, inclusive dialogue. We must strive for reasonable consensus, if not on the mechanism for electing leaders, then certainly on the principles by which we govern,” Mlilo said.

He further argued that constitutional negotiations should be tied to a wider political settlement.

“Consensus first. Before we support the Bill, let us have a solid irrevocable political settlement. The Zimbabwean State is a Bonapartist State. We must be guided by structural realism,” Mlilo said.

“The outcome of our reaching sufficient consensus should be the consummation a government of national consensus.

“In opposing the Bill we must avoid infantile political peacocking. We must do what objectively serves Zimbabweans. The welfare of the ordinary Zimbabwean should come first.”

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