Congratulations to the National Anti-Domestic Violence Council! May this new chapter be marked by renewed commitment, impactful action and meaningful progress in the fight against domestic violence. We wish you excellence as you work to build safer families and communities. #Access to Justice for all!

Citizens Must Remain at the Heart of Justice Delivery : DM Hon.NT Mazungunye The Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. N.T. Mazungunye, officially opened the Ministry’s 2026 Strategic Plan Review Workshop in Bulawayo on behalf of the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, as the Ministry intensifies efforts to align its priorities with Zimbabwe’s national development agenda. The strategic workshop, which is running from 28 September to 2 October 2026 at Rainbow Hotel, Bulawayo, has brought together key stakeholders in the justice sector to review the Ministry’s strategic direction in light of the country’s broader governance and development objectives. In his official remarks, Hon. Mazungunye described the review as a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s development and in the continuing transformation of the public service and justice delivery systems. He highlighted that the workshop offers an important opportunity for the Ministry to reflect on achievements made so far, confront unfinished business and sharpen its focus as the nation advances towards Vision 2030. Zimbabwe has entered a new phase under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), 2026–2030, which is aimed at building an empowered, prosperous and upper middle income society under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Against this backdrop, Hon. Mazungunye said the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs should continuously align policy, legal and regulatory frameworks with national priorities, while providing the legal certainty necessary to foster development, uphold the rule of law and preserve social cohesion. He further indicated that the Ministry’s mandate goes beyond the administration of laws, describing the institution as a custodian of the legal architecture of the State. Through its policy and legislative functions, he said, the Ministry plays a key role in translating national priorities into law, strengthening institutions, upholding human rights and creating conditions for sustainable national development. Hon. Mazungunye also said legal integrity remains inseparable from national development, noting that economic transformation depends on confidence in the legal order. He said, 'securing property rights, predictable business rules, efficient company registration systems and the protection of intellectual property are all essential to building investor confidence and enabling citizens to participate fully in the formal economy'. While making reference to correctional services, Hon. Mazungunye said the justice system must go beyond confinement and place greater emphasis on rehabilitation, restoration and reintegration. He said reducing repeat offending is not only a correctional goal, but also a broader national objective that contributes to safer communities and stronger social cohesion. At the centre of the Ministry’s work, he said, must always be the Zimbabwean citizen. Whether seeking legal aid, registering property, starting a business, exercising constitutional rights or reintegrating into society after incarceration, citizens ultimately judge Government through the services they receive. The Deputy Minister acknowledged progress made under National Development Strategy 1, including the decentralisation of access to justice, improvements in legal aid services, stronger justice delivery infrastructure, legislative modernisation and digital transformation across the justice sector. However, he said these gains must now be consolidated and translated into measurable improvements in the quality of services experienced by the public. He urged participants to ensure that the Strategic Plan under review is ambitious, practical and results oriented. The plan, he said, must assign responsibility, anticipate risks and measure whether interventions are delivering meaningful outcomes for citizens. Hon. Mazungunye concluded by urging that the Strategic Plan must remain a living instrument of action, responsive to the changing needs of society and firmly anchored in the Constitution and the national interest. #Accesstojusticeforall

UN Special Rapporteur pays courtesy call on Government United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Professor Alexandra Xanthaki, has said her visit is an open dialogue with both the State and civil society organisations, to understand the fantastic initiatives, successes and challenges, and ways to improve the implementation of cultural rights in the State. She said this in a side interview after a courtesy call with the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Ziyambi. The Special Rapporteur further highlighted that she will present a report to the main United Nations body, the Human Rights Council, which will be discussed in March 2027 with other States. Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba added: "We are happy to have the delegation in our country. Zimbabwe is very constitutional and, in terms of our Constitution, cultural rights are observed and they form the Bill of Rights." She said that, as a country, Zimbabwe takes a whole of Government approach, with every Ministry dealing with issues of culture to promote cultural rights. Professor Xanthaki will visit other Government Ministries, such as the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industries, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, as well as other commissions such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and will provide a debrief to Government on the 9th of October before leaving the country.

Government operationalises Anti-Domestic Violence Council Government has operationalised the Anti-Domestic Violence Council, the statutory body created under Section 16 of the Domestic Violence Act to coordinate the national response to abuse in the home. The inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Council was addressed by the Permanent Secretary of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba. Addressing the Council composed of 12 members drawn from government ministries, traditional leadership, civil society organisations and faith-based groups, with efforts ongoing to secure full representation from the church and traditional leadership the Permanent Secretary congratulated the appointees and said their presence "marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to combating domestic violence in Zimbabwe." The Council's statutory mandate is fourfold: keeping domestic violence under constant review, disseminating information and raising public awareness, promoting the establishment of safe houses for survivors, and providing regular reports to the Minister on the status of domestic violence in the country. The reoperationalisation comes at a time when Zimbabwe is confronting a disturbing run of fatal domestic violence cases: a man in Kadoma fatally stabbed his wife and nine-month-pregnant daughter; a man in Harare's Glen Lorne suburb shot his wife in front of their four children before taking his own life; and, most recently, the Tshuma case shocked the international community when a husband allegedly murdered his wife and two daughters in the United Kingdom before fleeing across jurisdictions. The timing coincides with mounting national concern over the scale of the problem. "These tragic incidents underscore the urgency of our mission. The reconstitution of this Council is both timely and necessary, representing a decisive step in strengthening Zimbabwe's national response to domestic violence. This scourge is not merely a legal issue but a profound social challenge that undermines the fabric of families and communities. It demands a coordinated, multi-sectoral response," the Permanent Secretary added. She further acknowledged the scale of the task, saying the Council must "strengthen referral mechanisms, enhance coordination among stakeholders, and ensure that our laws and policies translate into tangible protection on the ground," adding that "no single institution can address domestic violence in isolation." She urged the Council to establish "practical and measurable priorities," to promote public awareness campaigns, and to ensure that victims and survivors are treated with dignity, confidentiality and respect, with prevention and community engagement "at the forefront" of its work. In this respect, the Council calls upon all members of the public to reject all forms of domestic violence and to desist from using violence, threats, intimidation or abuse as a means of resolving family and relationship disputes. Conflict and disagreement may occur within families and relationships, but violence must never be accepted as a response. No To Domestic Violence

Land rights must have a clear legal basis - Justice Secretary Mrs V. Nyemba Leopard Rock, Vumba : 24 September 2026 Land rights must have a clear legal basis, be properly recorded where registration is required, and be capable of verification, protection and enforcement, the Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs V. Nyemba, said in a keynote address at the opening of the Estate Agents Council 2026 Zimbabwe National Land Conference at Leopard Rock, Vumba eralier this morning. Addressing institutions and professionals who collectively influence how land in Zimbabwe is planned, administered, legally protected, financed, developed, transacted and preserved for future generations, Mrs Nyemba said the rule of law was fundamental to securing bankable tenure. "From Government's perspective, the rule of law is fundamental to securing bankable tenure. At the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, we recognise that land rights must have a clear legal basis, be properly recorded where registration is required, be capable of verification and be effectively protected and enforced. The integrity of the legal framework is consequently inseparable from the integrity of the land administration system," she said. Mrs Nyemba said land had never been merely an asset or a parcel on a map. "It is closely connected to our identity, dignity, families and livelihoods. It provides the foundation upon which we build communities, sustain economic activity and advance national development. The manner in which we govern, administer and secure land has implications far beyond an individual property transaction. It affects the protection of rights, fiscal development, public confidence, investment and the ability of land to contribute productively to our nation." As the conference is being guided by the theme: "From Title to Capital: Delivering Bankable Tenure Through Data Integrity, Institutional Reform and Intergenerational Stewardship." The PS highlighted the broader significance of land and the need to translate secure tenure into tangible economic opportunity, challenging participants to look beyond the title deed as evidence of an interest in land and to recognise secure tenure as a foundation for investment, access to finance and sustainable national development. "At the centre of this process is the title deed. It provides legal recognition and certainty in respect of an interest in land. But bankable tenure is not created by the title deed alone. It is created by the confidence that surrounds the title. I believe that confidence rests on reliable information, effective institutions and a legal framework that enables rights to be verified, protected and enforced. When these elements work together, secure tenure can facilitate access to finance, support investment and unlock the productive value of land. This is particularly important as we implement the National Development Strategy 2, 2026 to 2030 and advance towards Vision 2030. Our collective task is to strengthen a tenure system that provides certainty, facilitates investment and supports national development." Turning to data integrity, Mrs Nyemba said a title deed derived much of its practical value from the accuracy and reliability of the information upon which it is based, and that accurate, secure and readily verifiable property records gave greater certainty to all who relied on them. "For citizens, reliable land records provide assurance that their interests are properly recorded and protected. For investors and financial institutions, they provide greater certainty in verifying ownership, facilitating transactions and extending credit, while reducing the risks of fraud, multiple allocations and competing claims," she said. Government's objective in her remarks was clear; to reduce delays and uncertainty, strengthen safeguards against fraud and build confidence in the land market, turning title into a practical pathway to investment, financial inclusion and sustainable socio-economic development. The Secretary further stated that legal and institutional frameworks must evolve with the needs of society and the economy. "Laws are not carved in stone; they are living instruments that must keep pace with development, urbanisation, smart cities, digital conveyancing, new financial instruments and regional integration". Mrs Nyemba said the responsibility extended beyond Government to estate agents, conveyancers, valuers, planners, developers and financial partners. "Property transactions involve significant financial commitments, and the public must be assured that registered professionals uphold the highest standards of integrity, competence, transparency and professional conduct," she said, adding that professional integrity was integral to bankable tenure. She drew on a Shona proverb "Kuturika denga remba kubatirana", meaning that putting a roof on a house requires people to work together to argue that a title deed secures a right in land but cannot on its own provide roads, water, electricity, schools or sanitation. "Bankable tenure must therefore be part of a broader vision of well-planned, serviced and sustainable communities," she said, calling for collaboration across Government, local authorities, land institutions, financial institutions, developers and professional bodies. Mrs Nyemba concluded by welcoming delegates from Zambia, Botswana and Rwanda, describing their presence as a powerful expression of African solidarity and South-South cooperation. The Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Land Commission, Commissioner Tendayi Ruth Walker Bare; the Permanent Secretary for National Housing and Social Amenities, Eng. T. K. Chinyanga; the Chief Registrar for Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property, Mr Willie Mushayi and other key stakeholder were present.

Meanwhile, our Justice Choir Team in Gwanda gave it all they had, pouring out tremendous energy during the Inter Ministerial choir competition! Stay tuned for more updates:

Happy Birthday His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa. May the years ahead bring you greater joy and abundant wisdom!!! and Happy Holiday Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe champions inclusive multilateralism at 63rd Human Rights Council session Geneva: Zimbabwe has called for an inclusive and balanced approach to multilateralism, with the country's delegation telling the United Nations Human Rights Council that cooperative diplomacy anchored in the UN Charter remains the world's most viable path through mounting geopolitical tensions. Zimbabwe was represented by the Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, at the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, held during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Human Rights Council, currently under way in Geneva, Switzerland. Addressing the Council, Mrs Nyemba said multilateral diplomacy remains viable even amid prevailing geopolitical complexities, adding that it affords the international community an opportunity to build a more inclusive, equitable and resilient system of global governance. This, she said, was only possible if multilateralism is channelled through cooperative frameworks anchored in the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The Permanent Secretary said the legitimacy of the United Nations depends on its capacity to remain relevant, responsive and representative. Zimbabwe accordingly called for the acceleration of long-delayed institutional reforms, including the reform of the Security Council and international financial institutions. She further stated that the reforms should strengthen the capacity of the UN to facilitate dialogue across geopolitical divides, while ensuring that human rights remain central to the work of the organisation across all its pillars. Concluding her address, Mrs Nyemba called for the unconditional lifting of unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) imposed on Zimbabwe and other countries, arguing that they obstruct the establishment of an equitable global economic order and continue to undermine the credibility of multilateralism.

Constitutionalism must live on in every officer’s career: PS Nyemba The Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, earlier today delivered a Constitutional Awareness programme to in-service correctional officers at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Ntabazinduna Prisons Training College in Bulawayo, urging the country’s prison officers to treat constitutional awareness as a career long duty rather than a one off lesson. Opening the engagement, Mrs Nyemba commended ZPCS for institutionalising continuous constitutional learning among serving officers. “Constitutionalism is not a subject that one studies once and then puts aside,” she said. “It is a continuing responsibility that must inform the conduct of every public officer throughout his or her career.” Beyond professionalism and discipline, officers also need a sound appreciation of the constitutional principles that govern the exercise of their authority, the Permanent Secretary added. Mrs Nyemba framed the programme as a direct fulfilment of Section 7 of the Constitution, providing officers already serving within the correctional system the chance to refresh their understanding of the supreme law and reflect on how its principles should guide their everyday responsibilities. The Permanent Secretary noted that ZPCS occupies a unique and indispensable position in Zimbabwe’s justice delivery system, with officers’ powers directly shaping the rights, freedoms and dignity of persons in their custody. A working understanding of the Declaration of Rights, she said, is therefore non-negotiable. Closing her address, Mrs Nyemba urged the officers to take the Constitution beyond the training room and called on ZPCS to remain professional, disciplined, accountable and humane anchored in the supreme law.

ZAS latest update: This morning, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi (the Minister of Justice) and Hon Michael Reza (Chairperson of the ZACC), visited the Ministry’s ZAS pavilion. During the visit, the dignitaries were briefed on the work of the Ministry through its various departments, including how its initiatives are supporting and powering growth.

News Update: The Justice sector proudly marks a new chapter as the Chief Justice, Hon. Elizabeth Gwaunza, presided over the swearing in of new judges: 2 Constitutional Court Judges, 7 Supreme Court Judges, 17 High Court Judges and 4 Labour Court Judges. In a special note of appreciation, the Ministry recognizes Justice Charles Paul Manhiri, whose service has been rooted in advancing the work of the Ministry and strengthening the justice system prior to his appointment. With their oaths now sealed, may these custodians of the law serve with steadfast wisdom and integrity accelerating access to justice for all by 2030. Makorokoto, Amhlope, Congratulations!!!

Doors wide open! The Zimbabwe Agriculture Show is here. Visit our MoJLPA pavilion for an onsite legal interaction with our lawyers - from legal advice to business support. The Ministry is here to power growth. #ZAS2026

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) consultations with Civil Society Organizations across the country continue, with consultations now targeting the remaining tabled areas, as follows:

Coroner’s Office Regulations Draft to Strengthen Death Investigation and Public Trust The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has opened a week-long write-shop aimed at polishing draft legal and sound regulations for the Coroner’s Office of Zimbabwe, a development officials say will strengthen how the country investigates deaths that require official inquiry. The write-shop, being held at Ochi Safari Conference in Domboshava, brings together legal drafters, medical and forensic experts, investigators, prosecutors and policy specialists to refine regulations that will guide the new institution’s operations. During her official remarks, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. V. Nyemba, underscored that the regulations must ensure that investigations are handled with care, professionalism and impartiality. She said the intent of the regulations is to establish a "clear, fair and dignified pathway to the truth" whenever circumstances surrounding a death require investigation. She emphasized the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of those affected, while upholding the dignity of every person touched by loss. Mrs. Nyemba noted that Zimbabwe has moved from reliance on the old Inquests Act toward the modernised coronial framework enabled by the Coroner’s Office Act, stressing that legislation alone is not enough to make the office effective. She called for regulations that translate the law into workable procedures, including mandatory notification of reportable deaths within a prescribed period, secure preservation of scenes and reliable chain of custody for forensic evidence. Further, the Permanent Secretary emphasised the need for a coordinated framework among key institutions, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police, health institutions, forensic pathologists, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Judiciary, clarifying how responsibilities transfer from one body to another. The Acting Coroner General of Zimbabwe, Dr. I. Zimbabwe, described the coronial process as a responsibility that must bring together medicine, forensic science, investigation and law so that findings are credible and evidence-based. He said the Coroner’s Office is still young and therefore depends heavily on the drafting of regulations that establish operational systems, procedures and standards. He urged participants to test provisions against realities on the ground and to refine the working draft developed through stakeholder engagement and technical collaboration with legislative drafters. He noted that comparative research from other jurisdictions has shown that Zimbabwe cannot simply transplant one model, but must adapt international standards to the country’s constitutional, legal, and institutional context. He called for regulations that cover everything from notification and reporting, to handling of bodies, custody of forensic evidence, record management and the structured conduct of coronial inquests. The regulations are expected to preserve the inquisitorial character of proceedings while ensuring safeguards for affected families and interested persons, and to earn public confidence in death investigation outcomes.

The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has begun nationwide Universal Periodic Review (UPR) consultations with Civil Society Organizations across the country. These consultations will run until 21 August 2026. The consultations aim to ensure the national human rights report reflects ground realities by: - gathering accurate data on local human rights issues - giving a voice to overlooked and vulnerable communities - promoting transparent state reporting - strengthening long term frameworks for tracking and implementation Civil Society Organizations are encouraged to attend.

Celebrating our Heroes and Defence Forces! The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, Deputy Minister, Honourable Nobert T Mazungunye, Permanent Secretary, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, Chief Director, Directors and the rest of the staff join His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the entire Nation in commemorating our Heroes and Defence Forces Day(s).

Government convenes high-level meeting on intersex rights and legal recognition The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs today convened a high-level breakfast meeting on intersex rights and legal recognition in Harare, aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s approach to protecting intersex persons and addressing gaps in existing laws. The meeting, held at Holiday Inn Hotel was attended by Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of Justice; Hon. Edgar Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; and Hon. Dr Douglas T Mombeshora, Minister of Health and Child Care. In addressing the issue, officials emphasised the need for public understanding of what intersex means and why it is often misinterpreted in society. Intersex refers to a range of natural biological traits such as chromosomes, gonads, hormones, or reproductive anatomy that may not fit typical definitions of male or female. It is not a choice or a disease and it is not caused by wrongdoing; rather, it is a form of human biological variation. Speaking during a side interview, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Government’s work began after a court challenge involving intersex rights. “Basically what we have done is we have received a court challenge regarding this issue (intersex) and we referred it to the Attorney General,” he said. “After that we decided as a Ministry that we need to undertake research.” Hon Ziyambi explained that while Zimbabwe’s Constitution recognises two sexes, the legal and administrative systems must respond to lived realities where people do not fit neatly into the binary classification used in many government processes. The Ministry said the research was conducted through the Law Development Commission, supported by the UNDP, and the breakfast meeting was convened to gather expert input. “The research and this meeting are part of work in progress,” Hon. Ziyambi said. “We have presentations and testimonies and lived experiences, and we believe that out of the meeting, we will be able to come up with concrete measures.” Hon. Edgar Moyo described the meeting as both a wake-up call and a pathway toward legal reforms. He said there is a gap in the law. “There is real gap in our statutes to address those issues. Because we are basically classified as male and female and then there are people falling in between,” he said. Minister Moyo highlighted that stigma and cultural barriers have contributed to intersex issues being kept “under the carpet”. He also pointed to how intersex persons may face repeated humiliation and exclusion when required documents and identity processes do not match their biological traits. He said awareness and services must be strengthened, including within families and child protection systems. “Testimonies were heartbreaking, noting that parents may not always know or may not understand the issue early enough, particularly when traits emerge later,” he said. He added that his Ministry will work on providing inclusive support and recognition, stressing that Government must “live beyond culture” and “be adaptive” in promoting inclusivity. Participants reviewed barriers faced by intersex persons in Zimbabwe’s documentation and public services systems, including: legal documentation systems that recognise only binary sex markers; difficulty obtaining birth certificates and national IDs, due to mismatches between biological variation and documentation categories and exclusion from education enrolment, health services, banking employment and voting among many other challenges highlighted. Officials also noted that many communities misunderstand intersex through cultural beliefs and stigma, often treating the condition as taboo or “irregular”. They said families may keep such matters private, especially when traits become more noticeable later in life or when a person is pressured to conform to strict gender expectations. The Ministry said it will validate the findings, draft legal and policy recommendations for Cabinet consideration, maintain ongoing engagement with intersex persons and civil society organisations (CSOs), and provide feedback to participants on progress made. The process will rely on both expert guidance and the lived experiences of intersex persons, emphasising that inclusion must be practical, humane and grounded in real life.