Parly conducts interviews

Nherera Herald Reporter
Parliament interviewed six candidates on Thursday who are vying for a vacant post in the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. The interviews were conducted by Senate representative for Bulawayo Metropolitan province Cde Angeline Masuku, Masvingo Central legislator Dr Daniel Shumba and MDC-T chief whip Mr Innocent Gonese.

Six candidates drawn from the legal and non-legal sectors turned up for the interviews, while two others who had also been short-listed failed to turn up.

Mr Gonese said all the candidates were female because the previous commissioner who held the post was a woman.

Those interviewed were Dr Rutendo Bonde, Mrs Stella Vivian Ncube, Mrs Maemah Chitsinde, Mrs Olivia Tsitsi Zvedi, Mrs Addelis Sibutha and Pastor Petunia Chiriseri.

Mrs Roseline Mangota and Mrs Netty Musanhu failed to turn up.

Answering questions from the panel, Mrs Zvedi, who is the deputy director in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs’ civil division, said the right to life, not being subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment and one’s freedom were of importance to her.

She said in order for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to be fully independent, commissioners should be given the mandate to investigate cases of human rights abuses without fear or favour.

“The commission has a mandate to investigate any cases of alleged abuse of human rights and embark on awareness programmes,” said Mrs Zvedi.

Ms Sibutha, a former director in the Prime Minister’s Office under the inclusive Government, said the right to education, especially that of girls, was of particular importance.

She said economically empowering girls and women should be a priority.

“The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is expected to ensure that there is observance of human rights in the country,” said Ms Sibutha.

“It should report cases of human rights violations and hold awareness programmes on human rights and freedom.”

Funder of Legacy International School, Pastor Chiriseri, said the commission should remain independent and not be controlled by individuals or institutions.

“This would help in maintaining integrity, remaining impartial and being non-partisan,” she said.