Vusumuzi Dube
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda has highlighted the need for Parliamentarians to uphold the dictates of the Constitution and protect and promote human rights in Zimbabwe.
The Speaker said this during an induction workshop by the joint portfolio committee on Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Thematic Committee on Human Rights in Bulawayo last week saying the elected representatives must be fully aware of the critical constitutional provisions that govern the parameters of the responsibilities of their Committees.
“While exercising your legislative, oversight and representative mandate, it is poignant that in the execution of your constitutional mandate, be firmly alive to the fact that you are carrying your mandate under the authority graciously granted to you by the people of Zimbabwe and our Constitution. You are mere stewards of the people’s political authority and, therefore, you should zealously endeavour to actualise their socio-economic aspirations with utmost humility,” said Adv Mudenda.
He said the Constitution, therefore, empowers Committees to carry out their oversight role in ensuring that they account to the President and Parliament through demanding monthly, quarterly and annual reports as enshrined in the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19].
As guided by section 139 of the Constitution regarding the constitutional grounding of the Standing Orders,the Speaker said it is also instructive to note that Standing Orders No.25 and No. 26 of the Senate and National Assembly respectively, grants the legislators powers and authority to summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation; summon any person except the President to appear before it to produce any documents required by it and to receive representations from interested parties.
Furthermore they also have the power to decide whether to permit oral evidence or written submissions to be given before it by or on behalf of an interested party; determine the extent, nature and form of its proceedings, as well as the evidence and representations to be given or presented before it and also exercise such other powers as may be prescribed or assigned to it by any law, the Rules, or Resolutions of the House.
Adv Mudenda emphasised the need for the recognition and upholding of human rights.
“As you conduct business in your respective Committees, let us be mindful of the critical link between human rights, the rule of law and sustainable development. The interconnectedness of these three elements is well-recognized in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 16, for instance, specifically calls for the promotion of Peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and, build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels,” he said.
He added that sustainable development is predicated upon the realisation of human rights as the anchor for the consummated justice as the ethical, philosophical idea that people are always to be treated impartially, fairly, properly and reasonably by arbiters of the law and that laws are to ensure that no harm befalls another, and that where harm is alleged, remedial action is taken.
“Your Committees must, therefore, play a vanguard role in ensuring that the protection of human rights and the application of the rule of law remain the democratic lens towards a microscopic measure of qualitative,” he said.
The Speaker also noted the remarkable innovations that have been implemented to enhance service delivery in the justice system.
“The adoption of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) by the Judiciary is a significant positive step that will promote transparency, efficiency and accessibility of justice within our judicial system. Exploring the potential of enhanced application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to improve efficiency in the justice delivery system is a noble pursuit in which the Committees must take a keen interest in appreciating the application of digital technologies,” he added.
He said it is believed that AI-powered case management streamlines judicial processes, mitigates backlogs and guarantees the timely resolution of legal disputes.
Additionally, Adv Mudenda said the launch of the Sign Language Manual by the Judicial Service Commission should be applauded because it will result in an inclusive justice delivery system adding that the Committees must, therefore, advocate for an appropriate budget allocation that aligns with these innovative and transformative initiatives.
@NyembeziMu
Online Reporter