Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
A special envoy from Zambia has paid a courtesy call on SADC Chairperson, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, with the focus on issues of mutual interest.
His Honour Enoch Kavindele disclosed that they discussed a number of issues with the President, who is SADC chairperson.
The former Vice President of Zambia said the two neighbouring countries are privileged to have a SADC chairperson who is dedicated to regional issues and well versed with the shared history of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“From time to time it is important that we come to consult the chair of SADC, on many issues. Zambia and Zimbabwe are so gifted that we have a dedicated man in Zimbabwe who knows where we came from as chair. So I just came here with my team for consultation, nothing much this time. Last time we came here, seeking for support as when we were seeking for support for a Zambian who wanted to be president of the African Development Bank. And indeed the President assisted us and that man has since been endorsed by SADC and we use the fact that, that man was endorsed in Harare,” said His Honour Kavindele.
Meanwhile, soon after his meeting with the Zambian special envoy, President Mnangagwa swore in members of three Zimbabwean commissions.
First to be sworn in was Mr Kudakwashe Muchena, who joins the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission, with the rest of the members having been sworn in earlier this year.
Next in line was Mr Martin Muduva, who joins the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
Six commissioners from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Commission, Simon Madzimure, Albert Mandinika, Sternly Kondongwe, Utloile Silaigwana and Mrs Chipo Mandela as well as Mrs Rosemary Kanonge were also sworn in by the President.
ZPCS commissioners are aware of their mandate to improve operations at the country’s prisons as enunciated by Mr Silaigwana.
“We will also get information on the areas that need quick immediate attention from the commissioner general. But generally our mandate is ensuring that there is efficiency, proficiency and all the necessary regulations are in place to ensure that all the ZPCS conducts its duties to the highest level possible,” he said.
Mr Muchena and Mr Muduva are also clear of their mandate at the Independent Complaints Commission and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
”We are supposed to have a psychologist on the panel so I’m there to represent them. For a very long time mental health commissions have not been a part of the commissions but this is the first commission we see psychologist on the panel to represent mental health issues on the panel,” said Mr Muchena.
”The leeway we have is to strategise that we remain adaptive, we agree that the issue around technology have been a cause of concern in terms of human rights violations. So want to ensure the commission is modern enough and be adaptive to the dynamics caused by technology to the violation of human rights,” said Mr Muduva.
The country has various commissions established in line with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, whose role is to oversee the running of departments under their wing.
