Constitutional Commissions

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

Those sworn in were:

Chairperson: Justice Simpson Mtambanengwe

Vice-Chairperson: Joyce Kazembe

Other Members: Daniel Chigaru, Geoff Feltoe, Theophilus Gambe, Petty Makoni, Sibongile Ndhlovu, Bessie Nhandara, Mukuni Nyathi

Note: In fact there is no constitutional nor legal requirement for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to be sworn in at all as was the case for the Zimbabwe Media Commission. The Constitution [section 100R(4)] only makes provision for the swearing in of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. The gender balance of this Commission is correct. The Constitution stipulates that at least 4 of the 8 members [excluding the chairperson] should be women. Although there is no constitutional provision for a vice-chairperson, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act stipulates that the President appoints one from the 8 members. The role of the vice-chairperson is likely to be an active one for the present, as the chairperson is still a judge on the bench of the Namibian Supreme Court.

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission

Those sworn in were:

Chairperson: Professor Reg Austin

Other members: Kwanele Jirira, Carol Khombe, Joseph Kurebwa, Jacob Mudenda, Elasto Mugwadi, Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube, Nomathemba Neseni, Ellen Sithole.

Note: There is a gender imbalance on this Commission. The Constitution lays down that at least half of the 8 members [excluding the chairperson] should be women. Only three on the list are women. There is no constitutional provision for a vice-chairperson, and there is not yet an enabling Act for the Commission when there is one, it could well make provision for a vice-chairperson.