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This article participates on the following special index pages:

Constitution of Zimbabwe (New Final Draft)
Zimbabwe Constitution Select Committee (COPAC)
February 01, 2013

View the new Constitution of Zimbabwe, gazetted May 22, 2013

View the Lancaster House Constitution of Zimbabwe - February 2009

View the "leaked draft" - February 2012

View the "second unofficial draft" comparison - March 2012

View the First COPAC draft - April 2012

View the Second COPAC draft - July 2012

View the Second COPAC draft with Zanu PF's amendments - August 2012

View the Final COPAC draft - January 2013

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Note from Veritas:

This is the most recent "final" draft approved by the GPA Party Principals and COPAC. Veritas has had permission to distribute it.

COPAC both stated and intended that the "final" draft dated 25th January which they sent to Veritas to distribute on the 27th of January would not be further altered; and it would be the draft presented to the entire Parliamentary Select Committee and then to Parliament for their information and then go unaltered to the Referendum.

The COPAC Co-chairs have, however, since then, had to ask the lead drafters to incorporate minor changes and also took on board a change arising from the presentation to the Parliamentary Select Committee. This second "final" draft incorporates these changes, which do not radically alter the substance of the final points of agreement reached by the Principals.

Again Veritas has been asked to distribute it and we have again been told it is the final draft, but obviously cannot guarantee this as a certainty.

Caveat

This new COPAC draft and the COPAC report on the whole constitution-making process will be presented to Parliament this coming week. COPAC have said that Parliament can debate the report on the process, but that the draft is presented for information only and that amendments will not be made [in fact, nothing is specified on this in the GPA]. There is, however, always the possibility that there may be more minor alterations coming up after the Parliamentary presentation, although, as the Principals have reached agreement on all hitherto disputed issues, SADC has been told the constitution is ready for Referendum, and there is a time urgency, the Parliamentary Party Caucuses and Whips are unlikely to let substantive issues be opened up again. But remember COPAC referred to their 17th July 2012 draft as the Final Draft.

CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE

(NEW FINAL DRAFT)

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Preamble

CHAPTER 1
FOUNDING PROVISIONS

Section
1. The Republic
2. Supremacy of Constitution
3. Founding values and principles
4. National Flag, National Anthem, Public Seal and Coat of Arms
5. Tiers of government
6. Languages
7. Promotion of public awareness of Constitution

CHAPTER 2
NATIONAL OBJECTIVES

8. Objectives to guide State and all institutions and agencies of Government
9. Good governance
10. National unity, peace and stability
11. Fostering of fundamental rights and freedoms
12. Foreign policy
13. National development
14. Empowerment and employment creation
15. Food security
16. Culture
17. Gender balance
18. Fair regional representation
19. Children
20. Youths
21. Elderly persons
22. Persons with disabilities
23. Veterans of the liberation struggle
24. Work and labour relations
25. Protection of the family
26. Marriage
27. Education
28. Shelter
29. Health services
30. Social welfare
31. Legal aid
32. Sporting and recreational facilities
33. Preservation of traditional knowledge
34. Domestication of international instruments

CHAPTER 3
CITIZENSHIP

35. Zimbabwean citizenship
36. Citizenship by birth
37. Citizenship by descent
38. Citizenship by registration
39. Revocation of citizenship
40. Retention of citizenship despite marriage or dissolution of marriage
41. Citizenship and Immigration Board
42. Powers of Parliament in regard to citizenship
43. Continuation and restoration of previous citizenship

CHAPTER 4
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

PART 1
APPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF CHAPTER 4

44. Duty to respect fundamental human rights and freedoms
45. Application of Chapter 4
46. Interpretation of Chapter 4
47. Chapter 4 does not preclude existence of other rights

PART 2
FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

48. Right to life
49. Right to personal liberty
50. Rights of arrested and detained persons
51. Right to human dignity
52. Right to personal security
53. Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
54. Freedom from slavery or servitude
55. Freedom from forced or compulsory labour
56. Equality and non-discrimination
57. Right to privacy
58. Freedom of assembly and association
59. Freedom to demonstrate and petition
60. Freedom of conscience
61. Freedom of expression and freedom of the media
62. Access to information
63. Language and culture
64. Freedom of profession, trade or occupation
65. Labour rights
66. Freedom of movement and residence
67. Political rights
68. Right to administrative justice
69. Right to a fair hearing
70. Rights of accused persons
71. Property rights
72. Rights to agricultural land
73. Environmental rights
74. Freedom from arbitrary eviction
75. Right to education
76. Right to health care
77. Right to food and water
78. Marriage rights

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