BY STAFF REPORTER 

The Zimbabwe Senate has passed the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, paving the way for the country to join the growing list of nations that have abolished capital punishment.

The bill, which has already been approved by the National Assembly, will now be sent to the President for assent and subsequent publication in the Gazette as an Act.

The country has 62 convicted prisoners facing the death penalty.

Veritas has congratulated the Senators, Members of the National Assembly, the President, and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for their role in facilitating the bill’s passage through Parliament.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, defended the bill in the Senate, citing studies that show the death penalty has failed to deter crime.

He emphasized that the actual number of murders remained the same despite the death penalty’s existence, questioning its effectiveness as a deterrent.

Ziyambi also highlighted the bill’s potential to address the root causes of crime, which he believes the death penalty does not tackle. He pointed out the bias of the death penalty against poverty-stricken people, stating that history shows the majority of those executed are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Zimbabwe has been on a de facto moratorium on executions for about 17 years, with the last execution conducted in 2005.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A powerful tropical cyclone named Chido is moving menacingly towards Zimbabwe, prompting the government to issue a warning and advise residents to take necessary precautions.

According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Cyclone Chido has intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and is likely to affect Zimbabwe on December 17.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds to several provinces, including Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and West, Harare Metropolitan, and parts of Midlands and Mashonaland West.

The MSD has warned of heavy rainfall exceeding 70mm in 24 hours in some areas, which could lead to floods, rockfalls, and mudflows.

Residents have been advised to plan evacuation mechanisms, avoid open spaces, secure their homes from damaging winds, and stay informed through authentic updates from the MSD and the Department of Civil Protection (DCP).

The government has assured citizens that it is taking necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the cyclone. The DCP is on high alert, and emergency services are ready to respond to any situations that may arise.

As Cyclone Chido bears down on Zimbabwe, residents are advised to remain calm but vigilant. The government’s warning and advisory come as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and minimize damage.

Stay tuned for further updates on Cyclone Chido and its impact on Zimbabwe.

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Residents of Victoria Falls have come out guns blazing against Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe’s decision to nullify the suspension of Town Clerk Ronnie Dube.

The controversy began when the City of Victoria Falls council suspended Dube over allegations of corruption.

However, Minister Garwe intervened, citing that the council’s resolution contravenes Section 139 (4) of the Urban Councils Act.

In response, the residents associations, through their lawyers Dube, Mguni and Dube Legal Practitioners, penned a scathing letter to Minister Garwe, demanding that he withdraws his directive.

The letter, signed by lawyers Dube, Mguni and Dube, reads:

“We have been approached by the Hwange District Residents Association (HWADRA) and Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VIFACORA) with respect to the contents of this letter.

Our clients are concerned that the contents of the Honourable Minister’s letter purport to represent the interest of the inhabitants of the City of Victoria Falls, whom he has not consulted.

The Honourable Minister may need to know that on the 8th of December 2024, a joint meeting of above named residents associations have resolved to support the resolution of their agents and representatives in council.

There is therefore no doubt that the town clerk’s suspension is supported by the inhabitants of the City of Victoria Falls.

The Honourable Minister is advised that the suspension of the town clerk complies with Section 139 (4) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 20:15] regarding the inquiry into the allegations of the suspended town clerk.

There is only one inquiry committee before which the suspended town clerk is expected to go and make his representations when invited to do so.

Procedurally, if the town clerk is found to have a case to answer, he will appear before a disciplinary committee, which is yet to be constituted.

The residents are aware that the resolution has recommendations for possible experts to be approached to form the disciplinary committee, should that become necessary.

It stands to reason that the investigative inquiry committee cannot sit and be judges over their own report.

This cannot render the resolution of council to be unlawful as to warrant a ministerial directive to rescind it.

The feeling of the residents is that the costs of a disciplinary process cannot be avoided if government is serious about combating corruption in all its forms.

The resolution is clear that the town clerk was suspended without salary and benefits.

The decision to pay the suspended town clerk allowances is supported by section 139 (5) (b) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 20:15]. It is statutorily provided.

There is no contradiction in the resolution.

There is, with respect, no legal basis for councillors to rescind a lawful resolution meant to combat corruption in local authorities.

The Honourable Minister’s directive has adverse effects on fighting corruption.

The directive is meant to lift the town clerk’s suspension without him answering to the allegations against him.

It is not government policy that those accused of corruption can be let off the hook without being investigated or brought to book.

The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, DR E.D Mnangagwa is on record saying corruption is working against the attainment of national development goals and is inimical to public interests.

Our clients’ considered view is that the Honourable Minister will be best informed about the interests of the inhabitants of Victoria Falls if he visits and consults the taxpayers of council.

Meanwhile, our clients who are a representative body of the inhabitants of the council area are in support of the town clerk’s suspension and are monitoring the inquiry into the town clerk’s allegations.

Accordingly, we have been instructed to demand that the Honourable Minister, immediately withdraws his letter dated 6th December 2024 to the Mayor of Victoria Falls and make arrangements for a public consultation with the inhabitants of the council area, failing which the Honourable Minister and the City of Victoria Falls (as represented by the Mayor) will be taken to the High Court of Zimbabwe for appropriate relief.

We trust this is in order.

Yours faithfully,

DUBE, MGUNI & DUBE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

CC: His Worship the Mayor of Victoria Falls, Clr P.T Moyo