VeritasZim

13/05/2026

COMMISSIONS WATCH 02-2026 - Is Re-assignment of Commissioners Constitutional

Ms Jessie Majome, a former opposition Member of Parliament and human-rights activist, was chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission [ZHRC]. Then on the 10th April the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet issued a terse press statement:

“In terms of section 202(1)(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has re-assigned Ms Fungayi Jessie Majome from the position of the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to the position of Commissioner in the Public Service Commission.”

The announcement caused concern in many quarters, press articles speculating that the “re-assignment” was in retaliation for a public statement issued by Ms Majome’s Commission criticising provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill. Government spokespersons did not directly contradict this, but argued that the President has power to re-assign members of Commissions as he pleases. The Attorney-General is reported to have said:

Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/13/2026 - 05:10 COMMISSIONS WATCH 2/2026[11th May 2026]Is Re-assignment of Commissioners Constitutional?Ms Jessie Majome, a former opposition Member of Parliament and human-rights activist, was chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission [ZHRC]. Then on the 10th...

27/04/2026

Parliamentary Committees Series 04-2025 - Open Meetings This Week 27 April 2026

https://www.veritaszim.net/node/7946

14/04/2026

BILL WATCH 10-2026 of 13th April 2026 [A Disclaimer]

Zicomo : A Disclaimer

Between 2021 and January 2025 Veritas ran a programme called Zicomo, the object of which was to promote constitutionalism in Zimbabwe. This came to an end in January 2025, when the United States Government terminated the project along with all other USAID-funded projects in Zimbabwe.

It has come to our attention that an organisation calling itself “Zicomo”, and using the “Zicomo” logo Veritas developed for its programme, has been issuing statements concerning proposed constitutional amendments. We wish to make it clear that Veritas is not associated with this organisation and has not given permission for it to use the name and logo of Veritas’s programme which are protected by copyright.

BILL WATCH 10/2026[13th April 2026]Zicomo : A DisclaimerBetween 2021 and January 2025 Veritas ran a programme called Zicomo, the object of which was to promote constitutionalism in Zimbabwe. This came to an end in January 2025, when the United States Government terminated the project along with all....

30/03/2026

CONSTITUTION WATCH 4-2026 - Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill - Public Hearings Constitutionally Inadequate

On the 16th February the Speaker of Parliament gave notice that the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill [link] was being published in the Gazette. Once the Bill has been published, at least 90 days must elapse before it can be presented in the Senate or the National Assembly (see section 328(3) of the Constitution). The purpose of the 90-day hiatus is to give the public time to examine the Bill and assess its implications, and to allow meaningful public discussion and consultation on it. This is made clear by section 328(4) of the Constitution, which says:
“Immediately after the Speaker has given notice of a Constitutional Bill [i.e. a Bill that seeks to amend the Constitution] … Parliament must invite members of the public to express their views on the proposed Bill in public meetings and through written submissions, and must convene meetings and provide facilities to enable the public to do so.”
Citizens must therefore be given adequate time and opportunity to express their views on the proposed constitutional changes.

CONSTITUTION WATCH 4/2026[30th March 2026]Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill : Public Hearings Constitutionally InadequateThe Constitutional FrameworkOn the 16th February the Speaker of Parliament gave notice that the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill [link] was being publis...

16/03/2026

Parliamentof Zimbabwe schedule for the public hearings on Constitutional Amendment No. 3.

06/03/2026

CONSTITUTION WATCH 2-2026 - Analysis of Constitution Amendment Bill - Part 2

Analysis of the Constitution Amendment Bill : Part 2

In the first part of our analysis of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill [link] we looked at the amendments the Bill proposes to make to the way in which the President is elected, the extension of the presidential term and the life of Parliament, and the appointment of Senators. In this, the second part, we shall examine the remaining provisions of the Bill.

CONSTITUTION WATCH 2/2026[5th March 2026]Analysis of the Constitution Amendment Bill : Part 2In the first part of our analysis of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill [link] we looked at the amendments the Bill proposes to make to the way in which the President is elected, the extensio...

05/03/2026

CONSTITUTION WATCH 1-2026 - Analysis of Constitution Amendment Bill - Part 1

On the 16th February the long-threatened Bill to amend the Constitution and extend the President’s term of office was published in a Gazette Extraordinary. The Bill can be accessed on the Veritas website [link]. Apart from extending the presidential term, the Bill will do several other things: it proposes that the President should be elected by Parliament rather than by voters in a general election, for instance; it will also strip the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission [ZEC] of its responsibility for registering voters and delimiting electoral boundaries; and it will give the President power to appoint ten Senators.

In this bulletin and the succeeding one we shall examine the Bill in detail and comment on the amendments it proposes to make to the Constitution.

CONSTITUTION WATCH 1/2026[4th March 2026]Analysis of the Constitution Amendment Bill : Part 1On the 16th February the long-threatened Bill to amend the Constitution and extend the President’s term of office was published in a Gazette Extraordinary. The Bill can be accessed on the Veritas website [...

04/03/2026

BILL WATCH 6-2026 of 3rd March 2026 [This Week in Parliament]

Both Houses of Parliament will be sitting this week. In this Bill Watch we shall outline the business they are expected to deal with during the week, but please bear the following points in mind:

·When the National Assembly and the Senate adjourn, they set down all outstanding business on their Order Papers (i.e. their agendas) for the next appropriate sitting day. There is usually too much to be covered in one day so whatever is not dealt with is postponed to the next appropriate day.

·Both Houses of Parliament can change the order in which they consider business.

BILL WATCH 6/2026[2nd March 2026]This Week in ParliamentBoth Houses of Parliament will be sitting this week. In this Bill Watch we shall outline the business they are expected to deal with during the week, but please bear the following points in mind:·When the National Assembly and the Senate adjou...

24/02/2026

BILL WATCH 5-2026 of 23rd February 2026 [This Week in Parliament]

Both Houses of Parliament will be sitting this week. In this Bill Watch we shall outline the business they are expected to deal with during the week, but please bear the following points in mind:

·When the National Assembly and the Senate adjourn, they set down all outstanding business on their Order Papers (i.e. their agendas) for the next appropriate sitting day. There is usually too much to be covered in one day so whatever is not dealt with is postponed to the next appropriate day.

·Both Houses of Parliament can change the order in which they consider business.

14/02/2026

BILL WATCH 3-2026 of 14th February 2026 [Next Week in Parliament]

Both Houses of Parliament will be sitting next week. In this Bill Watch we shall outline the business they are expected to deal with during the week, but please bear the following points in mind:

·When the National Assembly and the Senate adjourn, they set down all outstanding business on their Order Papers (i.e. their agendas) for the next appropriate sitting day. There is usually too much to be covered in one day so whatever is not dealt with is postponed to the next appropriate day.

·Both Houses of Parliament can change the order in which they consider business.

https://www.veritaszim.net/node/7887

06/02/2026

BILL WATCH 2-2026 of 5th February 2026 [Legislative Agenda for New Session of Parliament]

When the President delivered his State of the Nation Address on the 28th October last year, he outlined the Government’s legislative programme for the new session of Parliament – that is to say, he announced the Bills which the Government hopes to present in Parliament during the coming year.

With Parliament resuming its sittings next Tuesday – for its agenda when it resumes see Bill Watch 1/2026 [link] – this is an appropriate time to look at the Government’s legislative programme for the rest of the year.

BILL WATCH 2/2026[5th February 2026]Legislative Agenda for New Session of ParliamentWhen the President delivered his State of the Nation Address on the 28th October last year, he outlined the Government’s legislative programme for the new session of Parliament – that is to say, he announced the ...