Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
IN the face of emerging technologies where security matters are also evolving, legislators have been urged to recommend appropriate laws that ensure effective execution of duty by the security sector.
A three-day induction workshop saw the Joint Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and War Veterans and the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security converging in Masvingo this Saturday.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda noted that legislators must advocate for allocation of more resources to the security sector given their important role of ensuring peace, unity and development in the country.
“Let me remind you on the centrality of the security sector in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country. It is your responsibility to ensure that the security sector is well resourced, budget of security service should be a high priority because they deal with sovereignty of the State as well as the territorial integrity of the country,” he said.
Presenting before the two committees, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe said plans are course to modernise and digitalise departmental systems under their purview.
“As you are aware, a safe and secure environment is a prerequisite to the attainment of vision 2030. Hence, we are modernising and digitising all our systems. We are working on projects such as the smart policing system, online border management system, and others all to ensure efficiency and curb corruption issues,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence pledged its commitment to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest of the country.
“As a ministry which oversees work being done by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, we remain committed to safeguarding the territorial integrity of Zimbabwe against all forms of aggression,” said the Deputy Minister of Defence, Brigadier General (Rtd) Levi Mayihlome.
During the 10th parliament the two committees are expected to work on the amendment of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act, National Heroes Act and the War Victims Compensation Act, among others.
