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THE Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Thematic Committee on Human Rights will from Monday to Friday next week, conduct joint public hearings on three draft Bills that are before Parliament.
They are the Death Penalty Abolition, Criminal Law Amendment, and the Administration of Estates Amendment Bills.
The hearings are aimed at engaging stakeholders, gathering perspectives and guiding potential legal reforms regarding the three Bills, which are currently before Parliament.
As it is aptly named, the Death Penalty Abolition Bill seeks to remove the death penalty from the Zimbabwean statutes, while the Criminal Law Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Bill, seeks to align the law on sexual offences against minors with the Constitution.
The Administration of Estates Amendment Bill seeks to restructure the office of the Master of the High Court. Two teams will conduct the hearings with the first one starting next Monday at Rimuka Hall in Kadoma, going to Gweru at Mkoba Hall the following day, Bulawayo at Selborne Hotel on Wednesday, Lupane at the Community Hall on Thursday and on Friday in Filabusi at Avoka.
The second team start its sessions in Bindura at Tendai Hall on Monday, followed by Mbare at the Stodart Hall in Harare, Mbuya Nehanda Hall in Marondera on Wednesday, Dangamvura Beit Hall in Mutare on Thursday and Masvingo Civil Centre on Friday.
All the hearings will start at 10 in the morning.
The public hearings provide an opportunity for citizens, legal experts, and civil society organisations to express their views on the death penalty and the committees will consider these, as they deliberate on potential legislative changes. — New Ziana.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter