Coroner’s Office Act now operational

Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter

The Coroner’s Office Act is now operational after President Mnangagwa set last Thursday as the day it came into effect

following its promulgation by Parliament in 2019.

This is contained in Statutory Instrument 152 of 2024.

“His Excellency the President, in terms of section 1(2) of the Coroner’s Office Act (Chapter 7:21) (No. 12 of 2019), hereby fixes

the 5th September 2024, as the date on which the said Act shall come into operation,” read part of SI 152.

“The act establishes the Coroner’s office to conduct independent and impartial investigations into unnatural deaths to

determine the circumstances of such deaths; to provide for the appointment and functions of the coroner-general, deputy

coroner-general and their staff,” read part of the act.

The new law repeals the Inquests Act and amends the Burial and Cremation Act and the Births and Deaths Registration Act.