Process to amend Census, Statistics Act in progress 

Source: Process to amend Census, Statistics Act in progress – herald

Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent

THE Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) has initiated a process to amend the outdated Census and Statistics Act of 2007 to enhance credibility and efficiency.

The proposed amendments seek to align the legislation with international standards and incorporate new constitutional, technological and data protection frameworks.

ZimStat director-general, Ms Tafadzwa Bandama, confirmed the initiative at a stakeholders’ meeting and said there was need for a robust legal framework that supports the production of reliable and independent official statistics.

“At Zimstat, we have initiated a process of amending the Census and Statistics Act and would require your views and input towards a more consolidated and effective Act,” said Ms Bandama.

“We aim to create an efficient statistics environment that supports data-driven development.”

The agency highlighted several gaps in the current Act, noting that it does not reflect modern statistical principles such as those enshrined in the United Nations Principles for Official Statistics, the African Charter on Statistics (2009) or the SADC Statistics Protocol (2021).

ZimStat corporate secretary, Mr Sifiso Mpofu, said the Act failed to account for new data governance realities and does not designate ZimStat as the official producer of statistics.

“The law is silent on many key aspects. It does not designate the agency as the official producer of statistics, nor does it cater for innovations like big data or online data collection methods,” he said.

“We need legal authority to challenge unofficial statistics and ensure what is published nationally meets international quality standards.”

The agency also seeks to move away from requiring ministerial approval for every survey, proposing that the director-general be empowered to issue regulations independently. The change is expected to strengthen Zimstat’s autonomy and streamline the data collection process.

“Every time we want to conduct a census or survey, we must seek a statutory instrument from the Minister. That process limits our independence. The new Act should allow the DG to set data collection regulations,” Mr Mpofu said.

Data protection and constitutional rights were also central to the proposed changes.

The amended Act would incorporate elements of the 2021 Cyber and Data Protection Act and ensure alignment with the 2013 Constitution, particularly the rights to privacy, dignity and access to information.

“Section 44 of the Constitution obliges government agencies to promote, protect, and fulfil constitutional rights. Our Act must reflect that responsibility,” Mr Mpofu said.

Stakeholders have also called for provisions to ensure the coordination of the National Statistical System (NSS), enable data sharing through structured mechanisms rather than ad-hoc memorandums of understanding and enforce the collection of administrative data from public institutions.