President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the 10th Parliament to prioritize the completion of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill and other pending legislative matters carried over from previous sessions.
First introduced in November 2021, the PVO Amendment Bill is intended to address “counter-terrorism” and restrict NGOs from engaging in political lobbying. However, critics argue that the Bill seeks to curtail NGO activities and shrink civic engagement in Zimbabwe.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on October 2, at the start of the Second Session of the 10th Parliament, Mnangagwa emphasized the urgency of passing outstanding Bills. He noted:
“Parliament must swiftly enact all Bills that remain unresolved from prior sessions.”
Among the Bills mentioned were those concerning persons with disabilities, amendments to the Administration of Estates Act, Civil Aviation, the abolition of the death penalty, Parks and Wildlife, the Mines and Minerals Act, and the controversial PVO Amendment Bill.
Further proposed legislation includes the Medical Services Amendment, Insurance and Pensions Amendment, and the introduction of new Bills like the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Bill, which seeks to improve governance at ZIMSEC, and the Teaching Professions Council Bill to regulate teacher conduct.
Mnangagwa also highlighted the importance of speeding up the Occupational Safety and Health Bill to align with international standards and aid Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda. He urged the introduction of the State Service Pensions Bill, and amendments to the Public Service Act, the Rural Electrification Fund Act, and other key legislative areas to reflect the country’s economic growth.
To strengthen anti-corruption efforts, he called for the quick passage of the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistle Blowers) Bill. He also stressed the need for the swift finalization of the Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill to foster secure and affordable digital commerce in line with technological advancements.
Other Bills to be considered during the session include the Standards Bill, Legal Metrology Bill, Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, and the Media Practitioners Bill.
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