Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
THE swearing-in of commissioners to five independent commissions yesterday is an important step in strengthening the country’s constitutional democracy, as they have a collective responsibility to serve the people in their various portfolios, President Mnangagwa has said.
Their expertise, he said, will play an integral part in fostering accountability and justice for the greater good of the country.
President Mnangagwa made the remarks on his X handle after swearing-in commissioners from five different commissions.
“Today at State House in Harare, I had the honour of swearing in new Commissioners for our Chapter 12 Independent Commissions. These appointments are a vital step forward in strengthening our constitutional democracy,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Each of these institutions carries a profound mandate to serve the people of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) — to promote true gender equality and equity. Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) – to protect, promote, and enforce human rights. Zimbabwe Land Commission (ZLC) – to ensure accountability, fairness, and transparency in land administration. Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) – to safeguard media freedom and uphold professional journalism standards. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) – to manage and oversee free, fair, and credible electoral processes.”
“Today at State House in Harare, I had the honour of swearing in new Commissioners for our Chapter 12 Independent Commissions. These appointments are a vital step forward in strengthening our constitutional democracy,” said President Mnangagwa.
He rallied Zimbabweans to work together to develop the country.
“I congratulate all the newly sworn-in Commissioners. Your expertise and dedication will be instrumental in fostering accountability, justice, and progress across our nation. Let us work together to build the Zimbabwe we want,” said President Mnangagwa.
In an interview with journalists after swearing-in ceremony, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the Government would accelerate the media modernisation agenda, have it strengthened, and promote integrity, particularly by journalists.
He said the newly-constituted Zimbabwe Media Commission must continue to harmonise the media landscape as it takes over from the previous body.
Dr Soda said he expected the ZMC to strengthen the media environment, among other various functions.
“It has been a while since the last commission was in office. So with the coming in of the new commission, we expect a lot of modernisation of the media landscape in terms of research that is supposed to be done and in terms of also strengthening the media ecosystem,” said Dr Soda.
“There is also need to promote integrity, especially from the journalists; it is something that we expect to be achieved immediately with the new commission, and also to harmonise the media landscape.”
The newly-appointed members of the ZMC are Susan Makore, Caesar Zvayi, Munyaradzi Hwengwere, Rufaro Ellen Mhandu, Thokozile Chitepo, Merit Thokozile Munzwembiri, Tapiwa Mashakada and Tanaka Muganyi.
ZMC is the constitutional body responsible for promoting, developing and upholding media freedom and independence in Zimbabwe.
In an interview, Dr Mashakada, who once served as a Cabinet Minister during inclusive Government representing the MDC, said he will serve the country to the best of his ability.
“This is a constitutional duty that I will serve. I need to discharge my duties and responsibilities. It’s the mandate that I was conferred upon by the Constitution and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act,” said Dr Mashakada.
He said he will be discharging national duty impartially.
“I congratulate all the newly sworn-in Commissioners. Your expertise and dedication will be instrumental in fostering accountability, justice, and progress across our nation. Let us work together to build the Zimbabwe we want,” said President Mnangagwa.
“This is merited. I went through a rigorous interview through Parliament, and was eventually appointed. So everything is in order,” said Dr Mashakada.
Mrs Makore, who served in the previous Media Commission, said she will continue to do her best in the media industry.
“I think it’s just to continue with the good things that we have been doing. As you know, the media is always evolving. So there is always something new and something to learn,” said Mrs Makore.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Commissioner, Sheuneni Kurasha said he expected to join the team at the election management body and be fair in his duties.
“The role of the Commission is to make sure that the environment is fair for everyone. Elections are critical because they are the only legitimate means of selecting national leadership. Post-election, it is even more important that we have an outcome that is capable of delivering for the citizens. Elections are not an end in themselves. They must be a means to an end,” said Comm Kurasha.
“For an average person, the value of elections comes from a legitimate government that can be able to deliver on the economic front. And this is the mandate that ZEC carries.”
He said elections must be a tool for national development.
Two chairpersons, Mr Anele Ndebele and Dr Leslie Ncube, took the oath to lead the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission respectively.
“Elections would have failed if, in the end, they do not help contribute to national development. When you look at elections in terms of the cost to fiscus, it is quite high. The value of that, the only way we can redeem value is if those elections then produce an outcome that is legitimate, that produces an establishment or an administration that is capable so that it delivers, to the citizens.”
Mr Ndebele said he did not take the appointment as a personal achievement but a call to national duty.
“I view it as a challenge to put shoulder to wheel and do national duty as expected. I am moving from being a backbencher into the executive branch of Government,” said Mr Ndebele.
Dr Ncube said he will seek to demystify the Zimbabwe Gender Commission as a predominantly women-related organisation.
“In my tenure in office, there are several issues that we need to also demystify: that gender issues are not only for women, but also as men we have to lead. And when we, as men, lead on the output desk, we make a huge difference. So, in my office, I am actually going to work with quite a lot of people in academia,” said Dr Ncube.
“It is going to be actually a multisectoral approach. There are quite lots of issues that we will have to deal with. We are going to work with all stakeholders. Gender issues need all of us to come in a multisectoral manner to address them. We need to also ensure that the girl child is protected and the boy child as well.”
The event was attended by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, Deputy Chief Secretary responsible for Presidential Communications, Mr George Charamba, Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana and senior Government officials.
