Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa
Despite the setbacks of Covid-19 forcing Parliament to prematurely adjourn at times, President Mnangagwa was still able to put his signature on crucial laws.
Chief among the Bills signed into law was Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 2) of 2021.
The Amendments set therein sought to empower the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to appoint his Vice-Presidents and how they are appointed and when they resume office.
The Amendment No.2 also to empower the President to appoint up to seven Ministers from outside the elected pool in Parliament, up from the previous five.
There was also the insertion of the requirement of ten youths being elected into Parliament on proportional representation as well as the extension of the term limit for women proportional representation in Parliament.
The Amendment No. 2 also repealed the 70 age limit on the Chief Justice thus, allowing, his or her health permitting a Chief Justice to serve an additional five years should s/he elect to do so subject to the President accepting such a an election.
Zimbabwe Media Commission Act
The Act was signed to make further provision with regard to functions of the Zimbabwe Media Commission that include to provide for the manner in which the Commission exercises its functions.
A new provision for the investigation and hearing procedure by the Commission of complaints received was included.
The secretariat of the Commission was provided for into the new act and also to bring the Commission into operation and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.
Finance Act
The Finance Act was signed to widen sources of revenue for the Zimbabwean fiscus.
Among the new provisions, a person who buys a vehicle and fails to change its ownership is not liable to claim for insurance.
This was meant to plug leakages in the vehicle industry.
Manpower Planning and Development (Amendment) Act, 2020
The Act was signed into law to amend the Manpower Planning and Development Act [Chapter 28:02]; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing. It’s short title is Manpower Planning and Development (Amendment) Act, 2020 and was enacted by the Parliament and the President of Zimbabwe.
Attorney-General’s Office Amendment Act, 2020.
Sigbed into law by the President, it was to amend the Attorney-General’s Office Act [Chapter 7:19] and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Forest Amendment Act, 2021 Forest Act [Chapter 19:05] and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing. The Act sort among other issues to remove the title of Chief Executive and replace with Director General.
The Education, Innovation, Research and Development Centre Act
Enacted to provide for the establishment and function of the Centre for Education, Innovation Research, and Development and to provide for the management and regulation of education, innovation and Research and to provide for and matters incidental to or connected with the foregoing.
This law made the existence of Innovation Hubs at institutions of higher learning, a legal requirement.
The Guardianship of Minors Act
This is an Act to amend the law relating to the guardianship and custody of minors.
Cabinet approved the clauses in the ammendment and President Mnangagwa is expected to sign it into law early 2022
Attorney General Act
The Act establishes the Attorney-General’s Office Board and to provide for its functions; to constitute the Attorney-General’s Office and to provide for its administration and the conditions of service of its members; to provide for the transfer of persons from the Public Service to the Attorney General’s Office; to make consequential amendments to various Acts; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.
Data Protection Act
The Act is to provide for data protection with due regard to the Declaration of Human Rights under the Constitution and the public and national interest. It also seeks to establish a Data Protection Authority and to provide for their functions. It further seeks to create a technology driven business environment and encourage technological development and lawful use of technology. It is also to provide for investigation and collection of evidence of cyber crime and unauthorised data collection and breaches, and to provide for admissibility of electronic evidence for such offences.
The Indeginisation Act was also amended to remove the 51/49% ownership clause.
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