1.0 NATIONAL GENDER POLICY
Cabinet considered and approved the proposed National Gender Policy.
The National Gender Policy (2025) aims to promote gender equality and
women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe, recognising the diversity of different
groups and the need to address stereotypes and prejudices about gender
roles. The policy is informed by regional, continental, and global legal
frameworks and conventions that promote gender equality, as well as the
Constitution of Zimbabwe, which prohibits discrimination based on sex,
gender, disability, and marital status.
The Policy’s objectives are to promote gender equality and equity in all
sectors, set national priorities, provide a guiding framework for gender
mainstreaming, and strengthen coordinated planning, implementation,
monitoring, and evaluation of gender-related programmes. The Policy is
guided by the following principles: promoting equality and non
discrimination; leaving no one behind; doing no harm; inclusion of persons
living with disability; respecting non-harmful customary, cultural and
religious practices; involving males; and ensuring accountability.
The policy identifies and prioritises 10 Policy Goals as follows: Legal Justice
and Constitutional Rights; Gender Balanced Leadership and Decision
Making; Equitable and Inclusive Economic Empowerment; Equal Access to
Clean and Sustainable Energy; Gender Responsive Health and Pandemic
Resilience; Equal Access to Education, Innovation and Skills Development;
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response; Gender Responsive
Climate Action and Resilience; Gender and Disability; and Equal Access to
Information, Media, Information and Digital Technologies. Each goal is
underpinned by a situational analysis of existing gender issues and gaps,
the objective to be attained and the strategies to promote attainment. The
above priority areas are considered as catalysts in the achievement of
gender equity and women empowerment. The Zimbabwe Gender
Commission will monitor implementation of the Policy and take necessary
actions to enable the attainment of gender equality.
2.0 PROPOSED ACCELERATION OF THE HOME-GROWN SMART
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Cabinet considered and approved the Acceleration of the Home-Grown
Smart Traffic Management System under the Safe City Project by TelOne.
Government is set to accelerate the implementation of a Home-Grown
Smart Traffic Management System, after Cabinet had approved rolling out
of a Proof of Concept in 2020 which was subsequently utilised during the
COVID-19 period and thereafter. This is meant to address unwarranted
traffic congestion, road accidents and traffic law violations. This innovative
system utilises advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT),
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to enhance traffic flow,
road safety and transparency.
The system, developed by TelOne, comprises several key components,
including Command and Control Centres, intelligent cameras with
Automatic Number Plate and Face Recognition, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
based video analytics, a platform that predicts traffic patterns and
optimises signals, and an enforcement system for automatic fine issuance,
as well as mobile interfaces for fine payment and real-time updates. The
Home-Grown Smart Traffic Management System is tailored to address
Zimbabwe’s unique challenges in law-and-order subspace. The system is
capable of identifying vehicle owners through captured images as well as
through integrated databases of the Zimbabwe National Road
Administration (ZINARA), the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), and the Civil
Registry. It detects a wide range of traffic infractions, including red-light
violations, speeding, disobeying stop signs, wrong-way driving, illegal
parking, failure to wear seatbelts, traffic sign or road marking violations,
improper lane changes, and many others. It then notifies violators and
enables them to review evidence of the offence. Additionally, the system is
configured to perform various other crime management functions, such as
crowd detection and monitoring, pickpocketing and loitering, among
others.
The Home-Grown Traffic Management System will be rolled out in phases,
commencing with Harare and Bulawayo, followed by other major towns. To
support effective implementation, several key enablers will be monitored,
including a robust project governance framework, reliable power sources,
stable internet connectivity, and strategic system integration with
supporting platforms and institutions. Specialised courts will assist in
expediting justice delivery as the system operates. This localised approach
is expected to foster knowledge transfer, skills development, and national
pride while promoting self-reliance and sustainability.
3.0 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
Under the Legislative Programme, Cabinet considered and approved the
following: the Public Service Amendment Bill, 2025; and the Treaty
amongst the Republic of Botswana, the Republic of South Africa and the
Republic of Zimbabwe on the Establishment of the Greater Mapungubwe
Transfrontier Conservation Area.
3.1 The Public Service Amendment Bill, 2025
The Public Service Act [Chapter 16:01] is being amended to align it to the
Constitution as well as provide for the establishment of the Public Service
Academy. The Academy is meant to provide for continuous professional
development and training to members of the Public Service.
The Bill provides that members of the Public Service Commission will be
required to disclose their assets to the Corporate Governance Unit as per
the dictates of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter
10:31]. The disclosure of assets will be in the interests of transparency
and for avoidance of conflict of interest.
With a view to in improving the welfare of the employees, the Bill provides
that a female employee shall be granted a period of 98 days paid maternity
leave, and prohibits violence and harassment at the workplace, including
violence and harassment of a sexual based or gender-based nature. The
Public Service Commission will ensure that there will be no discrimination
when considering candidates for appointment or promotion.
The Bill further provides that the management and supervision of members
of the Public Service employed in any Ministry, Department or other
division of the Public Service shall be the responsibility of the Permanent
Secretary concerned, subject to the direction of the Minister and on the
advice of the Commission. The Bill also provides for the supervision of the
Permanent Secretaries by the Chief Secretary.
3.2 THE TREATY AMONGST THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, THE
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF
ZIMBABWE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GREATER
MAPUNGUBWE TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA
The objective of the Treaty is to establish the Greater Mapungubwe
Transfrontier Conservation Area for the promotion of collaborative
conservation of the environment and shared natural and cultural heritage
resources for the benefit of people in the Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Owing to shared values, interests and cultures among the people in the
Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, the Governments of
Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe are coming together to develop
models for enhancing livelihoods and conservation efforts. The Treaty will
promote ecosystem integrity, biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage
resource management and sustainable socio-economic development across
international boundaries.
The Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area will comprise the following areas: the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, in Botswana; the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site in South Africa; and the Tuli Circle Safari Area, Maramani and
other surrounding Wildlife Management Areas in Zimbabwe.
4.0 PROPOSED HOSTING OF THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON
PAROLE SYSTEM IN AFRICA
Cabinet considered and approved the Hosting of the Regional Conference
on Parole System in Africa.
Zimbabwe recently promulgated the Prisons and Correctional Services Act,
which broadened the scope of the parole system in the country.
Historically, parole was granted only to certain categories of offenders,
often those serving shorter sentences or convicted of less serious crimes.
However, reforms have made every prisoner eligible to apply for parole,
regardless of the nature of their sentence. Parole is now designed to offer
prisoners a chance for early release on the basis of good behavior,
rehabilitation progress and their readiness to reintegrate into society.
Zimbabwe is preparing to host a Regional Conference on the Parole System
in Africa this year, presenting a unique opportunity to operationalise the
Parole Board. By facilitating a platform for African nations to share best
practices and experiences, the conference will enable Zimbabwe to adopt
innovative approaches to alternative sentencing and prison decongestion,
establishing a parole system that reflects both regional best practices and
the country’s unique needs. This will showcase Zimbabwe’s commitment to
comprehensive criminal justice reform and foster regional cooperation on
parole and correctional matters.
5.0 REPORT ON THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE CONVENTION
ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL
ORGANISATION ON MEDIATION
Cabinet received and noted the Report on the Signing Ceremony of the
Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation on
Mediation.
The International Organisation for Mediation and its Contracting States
value the following fundamental principles:
▪ Respect for sovereignty and territorial intergrity, equality and non
interference in the internal affairs of States and commitment to
international rule of law;
▪ Ensuring party autonomy and free choice of means in dispute
settlement;
▪ Good faith and a spirit of cooperation in seeking an amicable
settlement of international disputes; and
▪ Ensuring an impartial, neutral and equitable environment that fosters
a flexible and efficient approach to peaceful settlement of disputes
through mediation.
