Admirable Articles of Zimbabwe's Constitution
13. National development
The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must endeavour to facilitate rapid and equitable development, and in particular must take measures to--
promote private initiative and self-reliance;
foster agricultural, commercial, industrial, technological and scientific development;
foster the development of industrial and commercial enterprises in order to empower Zimbabwean citizens; and
bring about balanced development of the different areas of Zimbabwe, in particular a proper balance in the development of rural and urban areas.
Measures referred to in this section must involve the people in the formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes that affect them.
Measures referred to in this section must protect and enhance the right of the people, particularly women, to equal opportunities in development.
The State must ensure that local communities benefit from the resources in their areas.
25. Protection of the family
The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must protect and foster the institution of the family and in particular must endeavour, within the limits of the resources available to them, to adopt measures for--
the provision of care and assistance to mothers, fathers and other family members who have charge of children; and
the prevention of domestic violence.
29. Health services
The State must take all practical measures to ensure the provision of basic, accessible and adequate health services throughout Zimbabwe.
The State must take appropriate, fair and reasonable measures to ensure that no person is refused emergency medical treatment at any health institution.
The State must take all preventive measures within the limits of the resources available to it, including education and public awareness programmes, against the spread of disease.
32. Sporting and recreational facilities
The State must take all practical measures to encourage sporting and recreational activities, including the provision of sporting and recreational facilities for all people.
49. Right to personal liberty (Part of it)
Every person has the right to personal liberty, which includes the right--
not to be detained without trial; and
not to be deprived of their liberty arbitrarily or without just cause.
51. Right to human dignity
Every person has inherent dignity in their private and public life, and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.
53. Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
No person may be subjected to physical or psychological torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
54. Freedom from slavery or servitude
No person may be subjected to slavery or servitude.
58. Freedom of assembly and association
Every person has the right to freedom of assembly and association, and the right not to assemble or associate with others.
No person may be compelled to belong to an association or to attend a meeting or gathering.
64. Freedom of profession, trade or occupation
Every person has the right to choose and carry on any profession, trade or occupation, but the practice of a profession, trade or occupation may be regulated by law.
65. Labour rights
Every person has the right to fair and safe labour practices and standards and to be paid a fair and reasonable wage.
Except for members of the security services, every person has the right to form and join trade unions and employee or employers' organisations of their choice, and to participate in the lawful activities of those unions and organisations.
Except for members of the security services, every employee has the right to participate in collective job action, including the right to strike, sit in, withdraw their labour and to take other similar concerted action, but a law may restrict the exercise of this right in order to maintain essential services.
Every employee is entitled to just, equitable and satisfactory conditions of work.
Except for members of the security services, every employee, employer, trade union, and employee or employer's organisation has the right to--
engage in collective bargaining;
organise; and
form and join federations of such unions and organisations.
Women and men have a right to equal remuneration for similar work.
Women employees have a right to fully paid maternity leave for a period of at least three months.
73. Environmental rights
Every person has the right--
to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that--
prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
promote conservation; and
secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting economic and social development.
The State must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to achieve the progressive realisation of the rights set out in this section.
77. Right to food and water
Every person has the right to--
safe, clean and potable water; and
sufficient food;
and the State must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right.
81. Rights of children (Part of it)
Every child, that is to say every boy and girl under the age of eighteen years, has the right--
to equal treatment before the law, including the right to be heard;
to be given a name and family name;
to the prompt provision of a birth certificate;
to family or parental care, or to appropriate care when removed from the family environment;
to be protected from economic and sexual exploitation, from child labour, and from maltreatment, neglect or any form of abuse;
to education, health care services, nutrition and shelter;
not to be recruited into a militia force or take part in armed conflict or hostilities;
not to be compelled to take part in any political activity; and
not to be detained except as a measure of last resort and, if detained--
to be detained for the shortest appropriate period;
to be kept separately from detained persons over the age of eighteen years; and
to be treated in a manner, and kept in conditions, that take account of the child's age.
A child's best interests are paramount in every matter concerning the child.
Children are entitled to adequate protection by the courts, in particular by the High Court as their upper guardian.
150. Venue of Parliament
Parliament may sit at places other than the ordinary seat of Parliament, but only on grounds of public interest, security or convenience.
186. Tenure of office of judges (Part of it)
Judges of the Constitutional Court are appointed for a non-renewable term of not more than fifteen years, but--
they must retire earlier if they reach the age of seventy years; and
after the completion of their term, they may be appointed as judges of the Supreme Court or the High Court, at their option, if they are eligible for such appointment.
Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court hold office from the date of their assumption of office until they reach the age of seventy years, when they must retire.
300. Limits of State borrowings, public debt and State guarantees (Part of it)
An Act of Parliament must set limits on--
borrowings by the State;
the public debt; and
debts and obligations whose payment or repayment is guaranteed by the State;
301. Allocation of revenues between provincial and local tiers of government
An Act of Parliament must provide for--
the equitable allocation of capital grants between provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities; and
any other allocations to provinces and local authorities, and any conditions on which those allocations may be made.
The Act referred to in subsection (1) must take into account, amongst other factors--
the national interest;
any provision that must be made in respect of the national debt and other national obligations;
the needs and interests of the central government, determined by objective criteria;
the need to provide basic services, including educational and health facilities, water, roads, social amenities and electricity to marginalised areas;
the fiscal capacity and efficiency of provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities;
developmental and other needs of provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities; and
economic disparities within and between provinces.
Not less than five per cent of the national revenues raised in any financial year must be allocated to the provinces and local authorities as their share in that year.
by Dunilefra, working for World Politics