Zimbabwe and the European Union formally launched their dialogue in June 2019, under Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement. Re-engagement with the Commonwealth is ongoing with the latest round of meetings having taken place on the sidelines of the recent 74th UN General Assembly meeting.
Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to now turn to the legislative programme which the Second Session of the 9th Parliament must pursue with renewed vigour. I commend the progress registered in the alignment of our country’s laws to the Constitution. This development will undoubtedly help further entrench democratic traditions, the rule of law and constitutionalism in our country.
The Second Session of the 9th Parliament is expected to continue the alignment process by considering amendment to the High Court Act, Labour Court Act, Magistrates Court Act and the Police Act.
The Public Finance Management Amendment Bill will be placed before this Parliament in an endeavour to align the current Act to the Constitution. In line with devolution, the Bill extends the scope of application of statutes to Provincial and Metropolitan Councils as well as Local Authorities, including the mandatory submissions of annual budgets and financial performance reports.
The Insurance and Pension Act will be amended to enhance good corporate governance, while Securities and Exchange Commission Bill is intended to strengthen anti-money laundering legislation. The Bill to facilitate the appointment of the Deposit Protection Co-operation as the liquidator of all deposit taking institutions will also be tabled.
The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill is expected to be re-tabled, while amendments to the Gold Trade Act and Precious Stones Act must ensure that our mining industry is more competitive and in sync with global benchmarks.
Government has noted with concern the emergence of monopolies as well as cartels which stifle competition as they engage in unjustified price hikes. While Government will not revert to price controls, we are nonetheless, in the process of reviewing the Competition Act in order to introduce deterrent penalties to combat such business malpractices.
In the Energy Sector, the Petroleum Act will be amended to create an enabling environment for natural gas and mineral oil exploration and exploitation. The Electricity Act will see the imposition of stiffer penalties for vandalism and the theft of electricity infrastructure and equipment.
As the media legislative reforms gather pace, the Bills relating to freedom of information, the Zimbabwe Media Commission, Protection of Information, and the Broadcasting Services Act Amendments must be expedited during the Session.
In view of the fast changing technology, there is need to continue to research and develop new legislative and regulatory instruments to secure the country’s cyber space. This Session of Parliament must therefore consider the Cyber Crime and Cyber Security Bill; and the Data Protection and Electronic Transactions Bill to regulate this field.
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