Topic 4 of 4 · Form 5 · Lower 6

Governance, constitutionalism and the rule of law

Government limited by a constitution: separation of powers, checks and balances, the rule of law, judicial independence, and protection of rights.

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Government limited by a constitution: separation of powers, checks and balances, the rule of law, judicial independence, and protection of rights.

Founding values: supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law, fundamental human rights, gender equality, good governance, and recognition of the liberation struggle.
Declaration of Rights (Chapter 4), including socio-economic rights.
Arms of government: Executive, Legislature (Parliament: National Assembly and Senate) and Judiciary (Constitutional Court at the apex on constitutional matters).
Independent commissions (Chapters 12 and 13): e.g. the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
Devolution (Chapter 14): provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities.

Chiefs, headmen and village heads exercise customary authority (Chapter 15) and must be non-partisan.

Elections, public consultations on bills and budgets, civil society, and the media.

Implementation gaps, corruption, limited resources for devolution, and political polarisation.

Exam tip: Cite chapters and institutions of the Constitution to support arguments.

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Chapter 14.
Any two: ZEC, ZHRC, ZACC, Zimbabwe Gender Commission, NPRC, Zimbabwe Media Commission.
Everyone, including the government, is subject to and equal before the law.

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