Bill Watch 23/2019 Update on Bills and Gazettes 5th to 19th April 22 April 2019 47 provides for this and will also continue in force directions or orders given, regulations made and licences issued under the Acts to be repealed [there is no corresponding provision for Gazette notices establishing Special Economic Zones, an omission that needs to be corrected]. Processes already begun under the Joint Venture Act, however, are to be completed as if that Act were still in force. ZIDA staff Clause 48 permits ZIDA to offer employment to civil servants from the Joint Venture Unit, and to employees of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority and Special Economic Zones Authority, without imposing any obligation on the new body to do so. ZIDA Board There is no provision obliging the responsible Minister to appoint outgoing board members of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority and Special Economic Zones Authority board members to the ZIDA Board. Note: The Bill contains typos and minor errors betraying haste in the final stages of drafting, e.g., Zimbabwe Investment Agency instead of Zimbabwe Investment Authority in clause 47(6), frequent instances of “Authority” instead of “Agency” in the explanatory memorandum and one instance in clause 4(3). Cabinet Approval of Principles of Bills At its meeting on 16th April, Cabinet approved the principles of the following two Bills from the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, thus clearing the way for the Bills to be drafted by the legal drafters in the AttorneyGeneral’s office. Constitutional Court Bill This Bill will provide for the powers, practice and procedure of the Constitutional Court; its composition as prescribed in section 166 of the Constitution; and its jurisdiction [information from Cabinet press release]. It is listed in the Legislative Agenda for this session. Supreme Court Amendment Bill This Bill will address deficiencies in the existing Act and align it with the Constitution of Zimbabwe by incorporating constitutional provisions for: the right to access justice for all persons; ensuring that every person has right of access to the courts or to some other tribunal or forum established by law for the resolution of any dispute, without any limitation; that all persons are equal before the law; the Supreme Court’s position as the final court of appeal in Zimbabwe, except in matters over which the Constitutional Court has jurisdiction; and the provision that every person has the right of access to the courts, and equal protection of the law [information from Cabinet press release].

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