Politics

 of  Zimbabwe  
 
The   politics   of   Zimbabwe   takes   place   in   a   framework   of   a   full   presidential  
republic,  whereby  the  President  is  the  head  of  state  and  government  as  organized  
by   the   2013   Constitution.   Executive   power   is   exercised   by   the   government.  
Legislative  power  is  vested  in  both  the  government  and  parliament.  
Political  developments  since  the  Lancaster  House  Agreement  

The   Zimbabwean   Constitution,   initially   from   the   Lancaster   House   Agreement   a   few  
months   before   the   1980   elections,   chaired   by   Lord   Carrington,   institutionalizes  
majority   rule   and   protection   of   minority   rights.   Since   independence,   the  
Constitution  has  been  amended  by  the  government  to  provide  for:  
• The  abolition  of  seats  reserved  for  whites  in  the  country's  parliament  in  1987;  
• The   abolition   of   the   office   of   prime   minister   in   1987   and   the   creation   of   an  
executive   presidency.   (The   office   was   restored   in   2009,   and   abolished   again  
in  2013.)  
• The  abolition  of  the  Senate  in  1990  (reintroduced  in  2005),  and  the  creation  of  
appointed  seats  in  the  House  of  Assembly.  
The   elected   government   controls   senior   appointments   in   the   public   service,  
including  the  military  and  police,  and  ensures  that  appointments  at  lower  levels  are  
made  on  an  equitable  basis  by  the  independent  Public  Service  Commission.  
ZANU-­‐PF   leader   Robert   Mugabe,   elected   prime   minister   in   1980,   revised   the  
constitution  in  1987  to  make  himself  president.  President  Mugabe's  affiliated  party  
won   every   election   from   independence   on   April   18,   1980,   until   it   lost   the  
parliamentary  elections  in  March  2008  to  the  Movement  for  Democratic  Change.  In  
some  quarters  corruption  and  rigging  elections  have  been  alleged.  In  particular  the  
elections  of  1990  were  nationally  and  internationally  condemned  as  being  rigged,  
with  the  second-­‐placed  party,  Edgar  Tekere's  Zimbabwe  Unity  Movement,  winning  
only  20%  of  the  vote.  Presidential  elections  were  held  in  2002  amid  allegations  of  
vote-­‐rigging,  intimidation,  and  fraud,  and  again  in  March  2008.  
Ethnic   rivalry   between   the   Shona   and   Ndebele   has   played   a   large   part   in  
Zimbabwe's  politics,  a  consequence  of  the  country's  borders  defined  by  its  British  
colonial   rulers.   This   continued   after   independence   in   1980,   during   the  
Gukurahundi   ethnic   cleansing   liberation   wars   in   Matabeleland   in   the   1980s.   This  
led   to   the   political   merger   of   Joshua   Nkomo's   Zimbabwe   African   People's   Union  
(ZAPU)  with  the  ruling  Zimbabwe  African  National  Union  (ZANU)  to  form  ZANU-­‐PF  
and  the  appointment  of  Nkomo  as  vice  president.  
 
 
 During  2005,  with  the  Mugabe's  future  in  question,  factionalism  within  the  Shona  
has   increased.[1]   In   October   2005   it   was   alleged   that   members   of   the   ruling   ZANU-­‐
PF  and  the  opposition  MDC  have  held  secret  meetings  in  London  and  Washington  
to  discuss  plans  for  a  new  Zimbabwe  after  Robert  Mugabe.[2]  On  February  6,  2007,  
Mugabe   orchestrated   a   Cabinet   reshuffle,   ousting   ministers   including   5-­‐year  
veteran  Minister  of  Finance  Herbert  Murerwa.  
 

Suppression  of  democracy  in  Zimbabwe  

Since  the  defeat  of  the  constitutional  referendum  in  2000,  politics  in  Zimbabwe  has  
been   marked   by   a   move   from   the   norms   of   democratic   governance,   such   as  
democratic   elections,   the   independence   of   the   judiciary,   the   rule   of   law,   freedom  
from   racial   discrimination,   the   existence   of   independent   media,   civil   society   and  
academia.  Recent  years  have  seen  widespread  violations  of  human  rights.  
Elections  have  been  marked  by  political  violence  and  intimidation,  along  with  the  
politicisation   of   the   judiciary,   military,   police   force   and   public   services.[3]  
Statements   by   the   President   and   government   politicians   have   referred   to   a   state   of  
war,   or   Chimurenga,   against   the   opposition   political   parties,   in   particular   the  
Movement   for   Democratic   Change   –   Tsvangirai   (MDC-­‐T).   Newspapers   not   aligned  
with  the  government  have  been  closed  down,  members  of  the  judiciary  have  been  
threatened   and/or   arrested.   Repressive   laws   aimed   at   preventing   freedoms   of  
speech,   assembly   and   association   have   been   implemented   and   subjectively  
enforced.   Members   of   the   opposition   are   routinely   arrested   and   harassed,   with  
some   subjected   to   torture   or   sentenced   to   jail.   The   legal   system   has   come   under  
increasing   threat.   The   MDC   has   repeatedly   attempted   to   use   the   legal   system   to  
challenge  the  ruling  ZANU-­‐PF,   but   the   rulings,   often   in  favour   of   the   MDC,   have   not  
been  taken  into  account  by  the  police.  
Branches  

Political   power   in   Zimbabwe   is   split   between   three   branches,   the   executive,   the  
legislative   and   the   judicial   branches,   with   President   as   the   head   of   the   executive  
branch,  the  Prime  Minister  the  head  of  the  legislative  branch  and  the  Chief  Justice  
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Zimbabwe  the  head  of  the  judicial  branch.  
Executive  
Main  office  holders  
Office   Name   Party   Since  
Robert   Zimbabwe   African   National   Union-­‐Patriotic   30   November  
President  
Mugabe   Front   1987  
Vice   Zimbabwe   African   National   Union-­‐Patriotic  
Joice  Mujuru   6  December  2004  
President   Front  
 
According   to   Zimbabwe's   Constitution,   the   president   and   the   prime   minister   are  
the   heads   of   state   and   government,   respectively.   The   president   is   elected   for   a   6-­‐
year  term  by  popular  majority  vote  whilst  the  Prime  Minister  has  no  specified  term  
limit.   The   executive   powers   of   the   prime   minister's   office   have   been   restricted  
since   the   restoration   of   the   office   in   2009.   The   Cabinet   is   appointed   by   the  
president  and  responsible  to  the  House  of  Assembly.  
Legislative  
Parliament  (formerly  known  as  the  House  of  Assembly)  has  120  members  elected  
by   the   common-­‐roll   electorate,   10   tribal   chiefs,   12   presidential   appointees,   eight  
presidentially   appointed   provincial   governors,   the   Speaker,   and   the   Attorney  
General.  It  may  serve  for  a  maximum  of  five  years.  
Judicial  
The  judiciary  is  headed  by  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Zimbabwe  who,  
like   their   contemporaries,   is   appointed   by   the   President   on   the   advice   of   the  
Judicial   Service   Commission.   The   Constitution   has   a   Bill   of   Rights   containing  
extensive  protection  of  human  rights.  The  Bill  of  Rights  could  not  be  amended  for  
the  first  10  years  of  independence  except  by  unanimous  vote  of  Parliament.  
The  Supreme  Court  is  the  highest  court  of  order  and  the  final  court  of  appeal.  The  
Chief   Justice,   Godfrey   Chidyausiku,   is   the   senior   judge.   Others   who   sit   on   the   bench  
of   the   Supreme   Court   of   Zimbabwe   are   Justice   Paddington   Garwe,   former   Judge-­‐
President  of  the  High  Court,  Wilson  Sandura,  Vernanda  Ziyambi  and  Luke  Malaba.  
The  legal  system  is  based  on  Roman-­‐Dutch  law  with  South  African  influences.  A  five  
member  Supreme  Court,  headed  by  the  Chief-­‐Justice  has  original  jurisdiction  over  
alleged   violations   of   fundamental   rights   guaranteed   in   the   constitution   and  
appellate   jurisdiction   over   other   matters.   There   is   a   High   Court   consisting   of  
general   and   appellate   divisions.   Below   the   High   Court   are   regional   magistrate's  
courts   with   civil   jurisdiction   and   magistrate's   courts   with   both   civil   and   criminal  
jurisdiction   over   cases   involving   traditional   law   and   custom.   Beginning   in   1981,  
these  courts  were  integrated  into  the  national  system.  
 

 
 Political  parties  and  elections  

For   other   political   parties   see   List   of   political   parties   in   Zimbabwe.   An   overview   on  
elections  and  election  results  is  included  in  Elections  in  Zimbabwe.  
Main  articles:  Zimbabwean  parliamentary  election,  2008  and  Zimbabwean  presidential  election,  
2008  
    Summary   of   the   29   March   and   27   June   2008   Zimbabwean   presidential  
election  results  
Candida 1st  round   2nd  round  
Party  
te   Votes   %   Votes   %  
  Zimbabwe   African   National   Robert  
1,079,730   43.2   2,150,269   85.5  
    Union  –  Patriotic  Front   Mugabe  
Morgan  
  Movement   for   Democratic  
Tsvangir 1,195,562   47.9   233,000   9.3  
    Change  –  Tsvangirai  
ai  
  Simba  
Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn   207,470   8.3  
    Makoni  
Langton      
 
Independent   Towung 14,503   0.6  
   
ana  
 
Invalidated   131,481   5.2  
   
Totals   2,497,265   100.0   2,514,750   100.0  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Summary  of  the  29  March  2008  Zimbabwe  House  of  Assembly  election  
#  of   Seats   Popular  vote  
Party  
Party   candi Dissol Elect
leader   2005   #   %  
dates   ution   ed  
Movement  for  Democratic  Change   Morgan  
      204   41   27   100   1,041,176   42.88  
-­‐  Tsvangirai   Tsvangirai  
Movement  for  Democratic  Change   Arthur  
      151   -­‐   14   10   202,259   8.39  
-­‐  Mutambara   Mutambara  
Zimbabwe   African   National   Robert  
      219   78   78   99   1,110,649   45.94  
Union-­‐Patriotic  Front   Mugabe  
Daniel  
      United  People's  Party   49   -­‐   -­‐   0   7,331   0.30  
Shumba  
      Peace  Action  is  Freedom  for  All   Abel  Ndlovu   6   -­‐   -­‐   0   1,545   0.06  
      Federal  Democratic  Union   Paul  Siwala   7   -­‐   -­‐   0   1,315   0.05  
Zimbabwe   Progressive   People's   Tafirenyika  
      8   -­‐   -­‐   0   1,047   0.04  
Democratic  Party   Mudavanhu  
Zimbabwe  African  National  Union   Wilson  
      2   -­‐   -­‐   0   756   0.03  
–  Ndonga   Kumbila  
Kisinoti  
      Zimbabwe  Development  Party   9   -­‐   -­‐   0   608   0.03  
Mukwazhe  
Leonard  
      Patriotic  Union  of  MaNdebeleland   7   -­‐   -­‐   0   523   0.02  
Nkala  
William  
      Christian  Democratic  Party   2   -­‐   -­‐   0   233   0.01  
Gwata  
Zimbabwe  African  People's  Union   Sikhumbuzo  
      1   -­‐   -­‐   0   195   0.00  
-­‐  Federal  Party   Dube  
Madechiwe  
      ZURD   1   -­‐   -­‐   0   112   0.00  
Collias  
Moreprecisi
      Voice  of  the  People/Vox  Populi   2   -­‐   -­‐   0   63   0.00  
on  Muzadzi  
Moses  
      Zimbabwe  Youth  in  Alliance   1   -­‐   -­‐   0   7   0.00  
Mutyasira  
      Independents   104   1   1   1   54,254   2.25  
      Presidential  appointees[4]   -­‐   20   20   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐  
      Ex-­‐officio  members  (Chiefs)[4]   -­‐   10   10   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐  
15 2,421,97
Total   773   150   210   100%  
0   3  
Source:  Zimbabwe  Electoral  Commission  (The  Herald)  
 
     
 
 Summary  of  the  15  March  2008  Council  of  Chiefs  Executive  Election,  29  March  2008  
Zimbabwe  Senate  Election,  31  March  2009  Chiefs  Representation  Election,  and  25  
August  2008  and  26  August  2009  Presidential  Appointments  of  Gubernatorial  and  
Non-­‐Constituent  Senators  
Popular   vote   for  
Seats  
#  of   Elected  Seats  
Party  
cand.   200 Tot Elect
a   b   Diss.   a   b   c   Total   #   %  
5   al   ed  
  ZANU-­‐ 1 1,101,
61   43   10   6   59   59   30   12   5   57   45.79  
    PF   0   931  
  1,035,
MDC-­‐T   61   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   1   24   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   24   43.04  
    824  
  MDC-­‐ 206,80
36   7   -­‐   -­‐   7   6   6   6   -­‐   -­‐   12   8.59  
M       7  
 
UPP   11   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   16,875   0.70  
   
ZANU–
 
Ndong 1   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   2,196   0.09  
   
a  
  ZAPU-­‐
1   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   734   0.03  
    FP  
 
PUMA   2   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   320   0.01  
   
 
FDU   1   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   303   0.01  
   
 
ZPPDP   2   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   124   0.00  
   
  Indepe
20   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   -­‐   -­‐   -­‐   0   41,364   1.72  
    ndents  
 
Vacant             0           0      
   
1 2,406,
Total   196   50   10   6   66   66   60   18   5   93[5]   100%  
0   478  
Sources:   Zimbabwe   Electoral   Commission   (Zimbabwe   Metro),   Parliament   of   Zimbabwe   Hansard,  
Zimbabwe  Herald,  allafrica.com,  sokwanele.com,  talkzimbabwe.com,  and  kubatana.net  
Ex-­‐officio  senators  (chiefs),  including  the  president  and  deputy  president  of  the  Council  of  Chiefs;  b  -­‐  
Non-­‐Constituent   Senators   directly   appointed   by   the   President;   c  -­‐   Provincial   governors   directly  
appointed  by  the  President.  
 
 
 
 In   June,   2004   the   politburo   announced   that   the   March   2005   general   elections  
would   conform   to   election   guidelines   drawn   up   by   the   14   member   Southern   Africa  
Development  Community.  The  Registrar-­‐General  will  not  oversee  elections,  which  
will   instead   be   overseen   by   a   five   member   electoral   commission   whose   chairman  
would   be   appointed   by   Mugabe.   The   2005   parliamentary   elections   were   held   on  
March   31.   While   the   African   Union   reported   no   major   irregularities,   opposition  
figures   such   as   Archbishop   Pius   Ncube   have   made   charges   of   vote   rigging.[6]  
Elections  were  held  on  a  single  day,  not  two  or  three  as  before.  Translucent  ballot  
boxes   were   used   to   prevent   "stuffing,"   and   counting   was   done   at   polling   centers  
rather  than  at  a  single,  central  location.  At  the  time  of  the  election  it  was  speculated  
that  factionalism  between  different  Shona-­‐speaking  clans  had  increased.  
Administrative  division  

 
his   section   has   multiple   issues.   Please   help   improve   it   or   discuss   these   issues   on   the   talk  
page.  
This  section  does  not  cite  any  references  or  sources.  (December  2011)  
This  section  requires  expansion.  (December  2011)  
 

 
Main  articles:  Provinces  of  Zimbabwe,  Districts  of  Zimbabwe  
Zimbabwe   is   divided   into   eight   provinces,   each   administered   by   a   provincial  
governor   appointed   by   the   President.   The   provincial   governor   is   assisted   by   the  
provincial   administrator   and   representatives   of   several   service   ministries.   The  
provinces  are  further  divided  into  63  districts.