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Zimbabwe Cabinet approves bill to establish Municipal Courts
3 hrs ago |
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Cabinet has approved the Municipal Police and Courts Bill, 2026, paving the way for local authorities to establish dedicated municipal police services and courts to strengthen the enforcement of by-laws, improve public safety and enhance local governance.
The approval was announced by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday.
Dr Soda said the Bill was presented to Cabinet by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
He said the proposed legislation builds on the powers already granted to local authorities under the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] and the Rural District Councils Act [Chapter 29:13], which empower councils to formulate and enforce regulations within their areas of jurisdiction.
"The promotion of good governance, efficient service delivery and access to justice requires coordinated structures and strengthened municipal enforcement of by-laws, including the apprehension, investigation and prosecution of offenders," Dr Soda said.
According to the minister, the Bill will establish a stronger legal framework for municipalities to create and maintain professional municipal police services responsible for community safety, by-law enforcement, traffic management and local crime prevention.
The legislation also provides for the establishment of municipal courts, which will have jurisdiction over municipal by-law offences, minor criminal matters and traffic violations. It further provides for the appointment of municipal magistrates and other procedures necessary for the operation of the courts.
Dr Soda said the proposed law is expected to strengthen local governance in line with the Constitution's devolution agenda while improving public safety, environmental management and service delivery.
The proposed legislation has been welcomed by local government leaders.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart described Cabinet's approval as a significant milestone and commended Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe for championing the Bill.
"This Bill, when it becomes law, will greatly enhance the municipal police's ability to enforce our by-laws, which in turn will lead to a cleaner, healthier and more orderly city," Coltart said.
The Bill will now proceed through the legislative process before Parliament, where it will be debated before it can be enacted into law.
The approval was announced by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday.
Dr Soda said the Bill was presented to Cabinet by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
He said the proposed legislation builds on the powers already granted to local authorities under the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] and the Rural District Councils Act [Chapter 29:13], which empower councils to formulate and enforce regulations within their areas of jurisdiction.
"The promotion of good governance, efficient service delivery and access to justice requires coordinated structures and strengthened municipal enforcement of by-laws, including the apprehension, investigation and prosecution of offenders," Dr Soda said.
According to the minister, the Bill will establish a stronger legal framework for municipalities to create and maintain professional municipal police services responsible for community safety, by-law enforcement, traffic management and local crime prevention.
Dr Soda said the proposed law is expected to strengthen local governance in line with the Constitution's devolution agenda while improving public safety, environmental management and service delivery.
The proposed legislation has been welcomed by local government leaders.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart described Cabinet's approval as a significant milestone and commended Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe for championing the Bill.
"This Bill, when it becomes law, will greatly enhance the municipal police's ability to enforce our by-laws, which in turn will lead to a cleaner, healthier and more orderly city," Coltart said.
The Bill will now proceed through the legislative process before Parliament, where it will be debated before it can be enacted into law.
Source - zimlive
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