Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is considering establishing a register of sexual offenders as it broadens efforts to curb such offences in the country.
The country has, over the years, recorded an increase in cases of sexual violations, particularly involving women, children and other vulnerable groups.
The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, through the Law Development Commission, held a stakeholders’ consultative workshop on the establishment of a sexual offenders register system in Zimbabwe yesterday.
The workshop, which aimed to gather views from stakeholders, was attended by lawyers, women’s organisations, civil society groups and representatives from various Government departments.
Speaking at the workshop, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs Vimbai Nyemba said the proposed legal framework required careful consideration of issues relating to privacy, human dignity, rehabilitation, reintegration and data protection.
Mrs Nyemba said it was also important to assess institutional capacity and determine whether such a system would effectively contribute to preventing sexual offending and protecting vulnerable members of society.
“Any proposal to establish a sex offenders register raises significant legal and policy considerations. It requires careful examination of issues relating to privacy, human dignity, rehabilitation, reintegration, data protection, institutional capacity and, ultimately, whether such a system would effectively contribute to preventing sexual offending and protecting vulnerable members of society,” she said.
“Our task is, therefore, to strike the appropriate balance between protecting the public and preserving the constitutional rights that define our democratic legal order.”
Mrs Nyemba said justice demands both accountability and fairness.
“It requires us to protect those who are vulnerable while ensuring that every legal measure we adopt is proportionate, necessary and effective.
“That is why today’s consultation is so important. We are not gathered to endorse a predetermined outcome. We are here to examine the evidence. We are here to learn from comparative experience. And we are here to determine which legal framework best serves Zimbabwe’s interests,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba said sexual violence remained one of the greatest violations of human rights, with cases increasing alarmingly.
She said reports indicate that many cases go unreported for various reasons, including fear and stigma.
“Sexual violence remains one of the greatest violations of human rights.
“Although reported cases remain unacceptably high, research consistently demonstrates that many incidents go unreported because of fear, stigma and other barriers faced by victims.
“Behind every statistic is a disrupted life, a family struggling to understand, and a community affected.
“These realities compel us to examine whether our legal and institutional responses remain adequate to protect those most at risk,” Mrs Nyemba said.
She said sex offenders’ registers are now part of broader child protection frameworks used by many governments, while others strengthen offender management and information sharing through different legal mechanisms.
“In this regard, Zimbabwe must determine what best serves its own legal traditions and national circumstances.
“Any proposal to establish a sex offenders register raises significant legal and policy considerations.
“When such a system for protecting vulnerable members of society is introduced, our challenge is therefore to ensure that every legal measure we adopt is appropriate, necessary and effective.
“That is why this consultation is so important, ladies and gentlemen,” Mrs Nyemba said.
She said the workshop was designed not to endorse a predetermined outcome, but to examine evidence and learn from comparative experience.
Mrs Nyemba said the workshop was meant to determine the legal framework that best serves Zimbabwe’s interests.
“Your professional experience, institutional knowledge and practical insights are essential to ensuring that any recommendations emerging from this process are balanced, evidence-based and capable of strengthening our justice system.
“Robust debate should be welcomed because thoughtful scrutiny is the foundation of sound legislation.
“Through respectful dialogue and informed analysis, we can develop recommendations that are particularly relevant to Zimbabwe’s circumstances and legislative needs. It speaks to the kind of justice system we want: one that protects the vulnerable, respects human rights and upholds the values of our country.”
Mrs Nyemba expressed appreciation to Government and its partners for their support in making the consultative workshop possible.
