Gibson Nyikadzino
THE Government has moved in to strengthen key constitutional commissions responsible for advancing gender equality, land governance and media regulation, with new commissioners for the respective bodies expected to be sworn in by President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare tomorrow.
The swearing-in ceremony will formally mark the beginning of the commissioners’ five-year terms and comes at a time when the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Zimbabwe Land Commission are expected to play an important role in supporting constitutional governance and the country’s development agenda.
The new commissioners for the Zimbabwe Gender Commission are Dr Leslie Ncube, Cowen Dziva, Thokozile Ruzvidzo, Mildred Mushunje and Tsanangurai Chirau.
The Zimbabwe Media Commission has Susan Makore, Caesar Zvayi, Munyaradzi Hwengwere, Rufaro Ellen Mhandu, Thokozile Chitepo, Merit Thokozile Munzwembiri, Tapiwa Mashakada and Tanaka Muganyi.
For the Zimbabwe Land Commission, the new commissioners are Professor Mandivamba Rukuni, Dr Mabel Ndakaripa-Hungwe and Dr John Basera.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana confirmed the swearing-in ceremony at State House through his official X account, where he invited all the newly appointed commissioners to attend the proceedings.
“All individuals nominated as Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Zimbabwe Media Commission and Zimbabwe Land Commission are hereby invited to attend at State House for the swearing-in ceremony to be conducted by the Head of State,” Mr Mangwana said.
The appointments, made in accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, were announced by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya.
They bring together commissioners drawn from fields including the academia, journalism, media management, legal, gender and social development, agriculture, land administration and public policy.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission is one of the independent commissions established under Chapter 12 of the Constitution.
Its mandate includes promoting gender equality, monitoring progress towards gender equality and investigating violations of rights relating to gender. The commission also has a role in recommending measures to ensure that women and men enjoy equal opportunities in Zimbabwe’s political, economic, social and cultural life.
The Zimbabwe Land Commission is constitutionally mandated to ensure accountability and transparency in the administration of agricultural land. It plays an important role in the country’s land governance architecture, including monitoring the management and utilisation of agricultural land and advising the Government on matters relating to land administration.
The Zimbabwe Media Commission is responsible for promoting, protecting and developing media freedom and professional standards in the country.
It is also constitutionally mandated to uphold, promote and develop the freedom of the media, promote good practices and ethics in the media and ensure that Zimbabwe’s media environment operates in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws.
The three commissions form part of Zimbabwe’s broader system of independent constitutional institutions established to support democratic governance, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Chapter 12 of the Constitution provides for independent commissions supporting democracy, including institutions dealing with human rights, elections, gender, the media and public administration, among other areas.
Source: Commissioners’ swearing-in ceremony tomorrow – herald
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