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Harare Bureau
National Assembly Speaker, Cde Jacob Mudenda, has sent the recently passed National Prosecuting Authority Bill to President Mugabe for his assent. The Bill, which is part of government efforts to align various laws with the new Constitution, was passed by both Houses earlier this month.
Cde Mudenda made the notification in a Government Gazette published yesterday.
“It is hereby notified that in terms of section 131(5)(5) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, I have on the 20th June 2014 sent the National Prosecuting Authority (Chapter 7:20) (Act No 5 of 2014) to His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe for his assent and signature,” read the notice.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa steered the Bill through Parliament. It seeks to establish the National Prosecuting Authority Board and its functions.
The Bill provides for the appointment of a National Director of Public Prosecutions, administration of the authority, conditions of service of its members and the transfer of persons from the civil service to the NPA.
Clause 4 provides for the setting up of the NPA to consist of the Prosecutor General appointed in terms of section 259 of the Constitution, and other members.
Clause 5 provides for the setting up of a NPA board to consist of the PG as the chairperson, deputised by the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Clause 6 sets out the functions of the board, while Clause 14 empowers the minister to give directions on matters of policy to the board.
The board will be responsible for administering and supervising the NPA and appointing and disciplining its prosecutors and other staff members.
In exercising its responsibilities, the board will be subject to general policy directives issued by the Minister of Justice, according to clause 14.
The board will submit annual reports to the Minister who will lay them before Parliament.
Johannes Tomana has since been appointed the Prosecutor-General.
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