By Staff Writer
THE incoming Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC) board members must be selected on partisan basis but according to the criterion clearly outlined by the Constitution of Zimbabwe,legal pressure group Veritas has warned.
On Friday 12 January 2024, Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) called on the public to nominate persons to serve as Commissioners of ZICC and set 31 January 2024 as the date when submission of nominations will close.
The ZICC will be tasked with investigating any complaints filed against delinquent members of the security services in the discharge or purported discharge of their duties and to inspect any facilities under the control of any security service, where persons are detained among other duties.
But in a statement, legal watchdog underscored that whoever is appointed to ZICC must be legally fit.
“We add some information not given in Parliament’s notice that may be of interest. Section 6(2) of the Act provides that all members of the Commission must be chosen for their integrity and competence,” the watchdog said.
It further noted that section 6(3) provides that section 320 of the Constitution applies to the conditions of office of members, which limits them to one term of five years which is renewable for one term only.
“The law requires them to take the oaths of loyalty and office before entering office; and provides that their remuneration must not be reduced during their term of office.
“The legal watchdog said Section 7 of the Act applies to section 236 of the Constitution to members of the Commission, which means that members must not in the exercise of their official functions act in a partisan manner, further the interests of a political party or cause, prejudice the lawful interests of a political party or cause, or violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person,” said Veritas.
The organ said Commission members who on appointment are members of a political party/organisation must relinquish that membership without delay and in any event within thirty days; and members who become members of a political party will immediately cease to be members of the Commission.
