1. Introduction The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) is amongst the Chapter 12 Independent Commissions which seek to promote human rights and democracy in Zimbabwe. The mandate of the ZHRC is to promote, protect and enforce human rights and fundamental freedoms in Zimbabwe. The establishment of the ZHRC is in terms of section 242 and its functions as outlined in Section 243 of Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013. The Constitution mandates the ZHRC to promote, protect and enforce human rights in Zimbabwe through embracing various strategies inter alia stated in section 243(k) (ii) of the Constitution which is to “visit and inspect places where mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped persons are detained”. This is in order to evaluate and appreciate the living conditions of patients in such institutions and to assess the status of the facilities, including the general concerns. Visits to mental health facilities also provide an opportunity for the Commission to raise visibility on the institution’s role, mandate, and work and further to continue to strategically build partnerships with relevant stakeholders working with such patients. Moreover, the ZHRC in turn, seeks to sensitise these stakeholders and departments as to the international and regional human rights standards in relation to the rights of mentally disordered patients. Page 4 of 22