The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice says underfunding of the Justice ministry undermines the right to fair trials as well as observance of human rights.
In a report recently tabled before Parliament, committee chairperson Energy Mutodi said Treasury should review upwards budgetary allocations to meet operational and staffing requirements of the Justice ministry and its related commissions.
“The failure by the Treasury to meet the bid requirements of the Justice ministry and its attendant commissions will have far-reaching ramifications on the delivery of justice and key aspects of governance,” Mutodi said.
“Although there have been attempts to increase funding for the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs ministry as well as the related justice delivery commissions and institutions, the funding situation remains dire to the extent of threatening justice, human rights, peace, development, national security and image within the international community.”
A number of government ministries have also complained about low budgetary allocations in Finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s proposed 2024 national budget.
Mutodi said Zimbabwe’s path to good governance was under threat if the Justice ministry was underfunded.
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“The impact will manifest itself in failure to uphold key human rights, sustain democracy, address corruption, rehabilitate offenders, promote peace, and create an enabling environment for national development in line with NDS 1 [National Development Strategy 1].”
The report proposed that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission be allowed to retain 30% of the money and assets it recovers during investigations to fund its operations.
“Additionally, allocations to the ministry must prioritise the office of the Attorney-General that is facing paralysis despite its central role of drafting Bills.”
Mutodi urged Treasury to also prioritise judges.
“The committee also noted the outcry by the Judicial Service Commission that judges have not been given their Mercedes-Benz vehicles. As such, it is the committee’s view that Treasury prioritises providing judges with vehicles as a way of boosting their morale.”