Online Reporter
We publish here the post Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.
NATIONAL GENDER POLICY
Cabinet considered and approved the proposed National Gender Policy.
The National Gender Policy (2025) aims to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe, recognising the diversity of different groups and the need to address stereotypes and prejudices about gender roles.
The policy is informed by regional, continental, and global legal frameworks and conventions that promote gender equality, as well as the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender, disability and marital status.
Its objectives are to promote gender equality and equity in all sectors, set national priorities, provide a guiding framework for gender mainstreaming and strengthen coordinated planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender-related programmes.
The policy is guided by the following principles: promoting equality and non-discrimination; leaving no one behind; doing no harm; inclusion of persons living with disability; respecting non-harmful customary, cultural and religious practices; involving males; and ensuring accountability.
It identifies and prioritises 10 policy goals as follows: Legal Justice and Constitutional Rights; Gender Balanced Leadership and Decision-Making; Equitable and Inclusive Economic Empowerment; Equal Access to Clean and Sustainable Energy; Gender Responsive Health and Pandemic Resilience; Equal Access to Education, Innovation and Skills Development; Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response; Gender Responsive Climate Action and Resilience; Gender and Disability; and Equal Access to Information, Media, Information and Digital Technologies.
Each goal is underpinned by a situational analysis of existing gender issues and gaps, the objective to be attained and the strategies to promote attainment.
The priority areas are considered as catalysts in the achievement of gender equity and women empowerment. The Zimbabwe Gender Commission will monitor implementation of the policy and take necessary actions to enable the attainment of gender equality.
PROPOSED ACCELERATION OF THE HOME-GROWN SMART TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Cabinet considered and approved the acceleration of the home-grown Smart Traffic Management System under the Safe City Project by TelOne.
The Government is set to accelerate the implementation of the system, after Cabinet had approved rolling out of a proof of concept in 2020, which was subsequently utilised during the Covid-19 period and thereafter.
This is meant to address unwarranted traffic congestion, road accidents and traffic law violations. This innovative system utilises advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to enhance traffic flow, road safety and transparency.
The system, developed by TelOne, comprises several key components, including command and control centres, intelligent cameras with automatic number plate and face recognition, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based video analytics, a platform that predicts traffic patterns and optimises signals, and an enforcement system for automatic fine issuance, as well as mobile interfaces for fine payment and real-time updates.
The system is tailored to address Zimbabwe’s unique challenges in law-and-order subspace. It is capable of identifying vehicle owners through captured images as well as through integrated databases of the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA), the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), and the Civil Registry.
It detects a wide range of traffic infractions, including red-light violations, speeding, disobeying stop signs, wrong-way driving, illegal parking, failure to wear seatbelts, traffic sign or road marking violations, improper lane changes and many others.
It then notifies violators and enables them to review evidence of the offence. Additionally, the system is configured to perform various other crime management functions, such as crowd detection and monitoring, pickpocketing and loitering, among others.
The Traffic Management System will be rolled out in phases, commencing with Harare and Bulawayo, followed by other major towns. To support effective implementation, several key enablers will be monitored, including a robust project governance framework, reliable power sources, stable internet connectivity and strategic system integration with supporting platforms and institutions. Specialised courts will assist in expediting justice delivery as the system operates. This localised approach is expected to foster knowledge transfer, skills development, and national pride while promoting self-reliance and sustainability.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
Under the legislative programme, Cabinet considered and approved the following: the Public Service Amendment Bill, 2025; and the treaty between Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe on the establishment of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE AMENDMENT BILL, 2025
The Public Service Act [Chapter 16:01] is being amended to align it to the Constitution as well as provide for the establishment of the Public Service Academy. The academy is meant to provide continuous professional development and training to members of the Public Service.
The Bill provides that members of the Public Service Commission will be required to disclose their assets to the Corporate Governance Unit as per the dictates of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31]. The disclosure of assets will be in the interests of transparency and for avoidance of conflict of interest.
With a view to improving the welfare of the employees, the Bill provides that a female employee shall be granted a period of 98 days paid maternity leave, and prohibits violence and harassment at the workplace, including harassment of a sexual based or gender-based nature. The Public Service Commission will ensure that there will be no discrimination when considering candidates for appointment or promotion.
The Bill further provides that the management and supervision of members of the Public Service employed in any ministry, department or other division of the Public Service shall be the responsibility of the permanent secretary concerned, subject to the direction of the minister and on the advice of the commission. The Bill also provides for the supervision of the permanent secretaries by the chief secretary.
THE TREATY BETWEEN BOTSWANA, SOUTH AFRICA AND ZIMBABWE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GREATER MAPUNGUBWE TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA
The objective of the treaty is to establish the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area for the promotion of collaborative conservation of the environment and shared natural and cultural heritage resources for the benefit of people in the Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Owing to shared values, interests and cultures among the people in the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, the governments of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe are coming together to develop models for enhancing livelihoods and conservation efforts.
The treaty will promote ecosystem integrity, biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage resource management and sustainable socio-economic development across international boundaries.
The Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area will comprise the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana; the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site in South Africa; and the Tuli Circle Safari Area, Maramani and other surrounding Wildlife Management Areas in Zimbabwe.
PROPOSED HOSTING OF THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON PAROLE SYSTEM IN AFRICA
Cabinet considered and approved the hosting of the regional conference on the Parole System in Africa. Zimbabwe recently promulgated the Prisons and Correctional Services Act, which broadened the scope of the parole system in the country. Historically, parole was granted only to certain categories of offenders, often those serving shorter sentences or convicted of less serious crimes.
However, reforms have made every prisoner eligible to apply for parole, regardless of the nature of their sentence. Parole is now designed to offer prisoners a chance for early release on the basis of good behaviour, rehabilitation progress and their readiness to reintegrate into society.
Zimbabwe is preparing to host a regional conference on the parole system in Africa this year, presenting a unique opportunity to operationalise the Parole Board.
By facilitating a platform for African nations to share best practices and experiences, the conference will enable Zimbabwe to adopt innovative approaches to alternative sentencing and prison decongestion, establishing a parole system that reflects both regional best practices and the country’s unique needs.
This will showcase Zimbabwe’s commitment to comprehensive criminal justice reform and foster regional cooperation on parole and correctional matters.
REPORT ON THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION ON MEDIATION
Cabinet received and noted the report on the signing ceremony of the convention on the establishment of the International Organisation on Mediation.
The International Organisation for Mediation and its contracting States value the following fundamental principles:
Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of States and commitment to international rule of law;
Ensuring party autonomy and free choice of means in dispute settlement;
Good faith and a spirit of cooperation in seeking an amicable settlement of international disputes; and
Ensuring an impartial, neutral and equitable environment that fosters a flexible and efficient approach to peaceful settlement of disputes through mediation.
