SADC Tourism UNIVISA top of agenda as Justice Ministers meet in Victoria Falls

THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) Committee of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General have convened in Victoria Falls, with the proposed SADC Tourism UNIVISA agreement expected to dominate proceedings as the region pushes for seamless travel and enhanced tourism integration.

The high-level meeting, scheduled for 1 to 5 June 2026 in Victoria Falls has brought together justice ministers and attorneys general from the 16-member bloc to deliberate on several landmark legal instruments aimed at deepening regional cooperation.

Among the most anticipated agenda items is the Draft Agreement Establishing the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, which seeks to establish procedures and conditions for issuing a unified visa for transit or tourism-related stays within participating member states.

“The Draft Agreement Establishing the SADC Tourism UNIVISA aims to provide procedures and conditions for the issuance of a SADC Tourism UNIVISA for transit or tourism-related stays within the territories of participating State Parties,” reads a statement from the SADC Secretariat.

The UNIVISA proposal represents a significant step toward eliminating barriers to free movement and could potentially transform the region into a single tourism destination, boosting arrivals and economic benefits across member states.

South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, will preside over the meeting in her capacity as Chairperson of the Committee.
Other critical matters on the agenda include the re-operationalisation of the SADC Tribunal to ensure adherence to the SADC Treaty, consideration of judges for appointment to the SADC Administrative Tribunal, and the Draft Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty.

The Committee will also review a Draft Charter Establishing the SADC Pharmaceuticals Pooled Procurement Services, an autonomous institution designed to coordinate regional procurement of medicines and health commodities, reducing costs and improving access to essential medicines.

Proposals to review the SADC Protocol on Legal Affairs will also be discussed, alongside a study on categories of matters requiring implementation through Protocols versus other legal instruments.
The ministerial meeting will be preceded by the gathering of SADC Senior Legal Officials from member states’ justice ministries, scheduled from 1st to 4th June 2026 at the same venue.

SADC, established in 1980 as SADCC and transformed in 1992, comprises 16 member states including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and host nation Zimbabwe.
The outcomes of the meeting will be submitted to the SADC Council of Ministers and ultimately to the Summit of Heads of State and Government for consideration and final approval.