CHAPTER 15 INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY: THE WATCHDOGS Chapter 12 of the Constitution introduced independent commissions that support democracy. This is a new development – there was no provision for independent commissions in the Lancaster House Constitution. Five constitutional commissions are created: Ÿ the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Ÿ Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Ÿ Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Ÿ Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Ÿ National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Collectively, the Commissions have general objectives additional to those they individually possess. The general include supporting and firmly establishing human rights and democracy; protecting people’s interests and the country’s supreme power; to encourage the spirit of adherence to the constitutional government; encouraging accountability and transparency in public institutions; and ensuring that democratic values and principles are observed by the State and all its institutions, government agencies and government-controlled entities and to ensure that injustices are remedied. The Commissions are independent, meaning that they should not be controlled by anyone nor should they be interfered with. They must act in terms of the Constitution, without fear, favour or prejudice. They are accountable to Parliament which ensures the efficient performance of their functions. The State, its institutions and agencies have an obligation through legislative and other means to assist the Commissions and protect their impartiality, independence, integrity and effectiveness. Members of the Independent Commissions must be non-political in their functions. If a person who is a member of a political party is appointed to an independent Commission, he or she must renounce that membership, failing which that person cannot take up office as a member of the Commission. Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission children by political parties at political rallies was forceful in condemning the abuse of children by political parties, notably by the ruling ZANU-PF Party. Many people described the ZHRC as “surprisingly” progressive. The Commission held its fort. The ZHRC was under-funded but managed to fulfil some of its constitutionally mandated functions. Through its website, a hotline, social media platforms, and mobile legal clinics, the ZHRC’s human rights officers conducted public outreach throughout the country and accepted complaints from the public for investigation. Several investigations of complaints received were completed during the year, with the reports publicly released on the Commission’s website. A report on the use of The recommendations of the report were to become the basis on which the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe modelled the relief it sought in a case in which it sought a declarator and an interdict against ZANU-PF's use of school children at political rallies. The ZHRC, however, did not have sufficient personnel to investigate the number of complaints it received. ZHRC worked with civil society organisations to provide human rights 66 STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ZIMBABWE 2018