Source: 92 percent of laws now aligned with Constitution – herald
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ABOUT 92 percent of all laws enacted before the adoption of the present 2013 Constitution that contained unconstitutional elements have now been aligned with the charter, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s legal framework fully reflects the values and principles enshrined in the regulations.
This means that almost all pre-2013 statutes have now been reviewed, amended or repealed where necessary to ensure consistency with the current Constitution, a process critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights.
At the same time, the Constitution has been translated into all 16 officially recognised languages, broadening access and promoting inclusivity by allowing every Zimbabwean to understand their constitutional rights in their mother tongue.
This was revealed by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi during the Ministry’s 2026–2030 Strategic Planning Workshop held in Mutare, where officials reviewed progress made under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and set priorities for NDS2.
Minister Ziyambi said the ministry had made significant progress in modernising justice delivery, expanding access to legal services, and strengthening institutional accountability.
“The translation of the Constitution into all 16 languages has enhanced citizen participation and deepened constitutional awareness across the country,” he said.
“As a Ministry, we have ensured that 92 percent of all laws requiring alignment are now harmonised, reaffirming our commitment to upholding the Constitution.”
He said the Ministry had also made major strides in digital transformation, with 76 percent of Companies and Intellectual Property Zimbabwe (CIPZ) processes now automated, while work on the Digital Land Administration Platform continues to progress.
“The ongoing digitisation of all historical deeds records will safeguard the integrity of our national records and improve efficiency in justice delivery,” said Minister Ziyambi.
He said the Ministry was closing the justice gap by expanding the presence of the Legal Aid Directorate in underserved areas.
New offices have been opened in Chivhu, Chipinge, Gokwe, Chiredzi, Beitbridge, Binga, Plumtree, and Lupane, achieving 53 percent of the Ministry’s NDS1 coverage target.
“These new offices bring justice closer to the people, ensuring that citizens in rural and marginalised areas can access free and professional legal services,” he said.
Looking ahead, Minister Ziyambi said the Ministry would focus on consolidating gains from NDS1 through evidence-based planning, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework and institutional reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and equitable access to justice under NDS2.
Justice Permanent Secretary, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, said the forthcoming Strategic Plan would be anchored on fiscal discipline, transparency, and performance-based management.
“Our plan must be fully aligned with national fiscal and policy frameworks,” she said.
“All programmes must be costed, supported by credible implementation and cashflow plans, and climate-proofed to ensure sustainability.”
Mrs Nyemba said all non-tax revenue streams would be automated by December 2026, with quarterly reporting to improve transparency and compliance.
“Gender and disability-responsive budgeting is now mandatory and must be integrated into all fiscal planning,” she said.
“This ensures inclusivity and accountability in the allocation and use of public resources.”
Mrs Nyemba added that the Ministry would adopt the Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM) system to strengthen accountability and ensure that all programmes deliver measurable and tangible results.
“This workshop is not a box-ticking exercise,” she said.
“It is a strategic reorientation aimed at developing a results-driven plan that enhances performance and positions the Ministry as a leader in justice delivery and governance reform.”
The Mutare workshop brought together senior officials from across the justice sector to design a coordinated 2026–2030 plan that will strengthen institutional capacity, improve service delivery, and ensure equitable access to justice for all Zimbabweans by 2030.
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