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Fidelis Munyoro, Harare Bureau

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday swore-in three six-member commissions for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services during a ceremony held at State House in Harare.

The swearing in of the commissioners was done in terms of the Constitution, which provides for the establishment of such commissions, adding to the governance reforms that are being undertaken by President Mnangagwa’s administration, which is also expanding civil and political rights in the country. 

President Mnangagwa said it was a requirement of the supreme law of the country to set up the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Services Commission, “consisting of a chairperson, who must be the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission and a minimum of two and a maximum of six other members appointed by the President.”

 The first to be sworn-in was the Zimbabwe Defence Commission in terms of Section 217 of the Constitution. The six who took oath of office before President Mnangagwa were — Bishop Morris Gwedegwe, Air Commodore Anele Moyo (Rtd), Major General Etherton Shungu (Rtd), Colonel George Nare (Rtd), Mrs Patricia Sarah Bwerofa and Mrs Sheilla Mahere-Nyagumbo.

some of the 18 members from the uniformed forces, comprising 6 members of the Defence Service Commission, six from the Police Service Commission and 6 from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services taking oath of office at State House.

The Police Services Commission members who were sworn in are Mr Great Fortune Zengeni, Mr Benson Gasura, Mr Casper Khumalo, Ms Plaxedes Gezha, Ms Mercy Muchirahondo-Murevesi and Dr Nyasha Kaseke.

The last set of commissioners to take oath of office were those who will serve under the Prison and Correctional Services Commission. These are Colonel Godfrey Matemachani (Rtd), Mrs Pauline Mukondiwa, Brigadier General Milton Siziba (Rtd), Mrs Pauline Chapendama, Mrs Charles Manzini and Mrs Priscillah Murombedzi. 

Persons to be appointed to these three commissions, according to the Constitution, must be chosen for their knowledge of or experience in the administration, management and military affairs, police affairs and prisons affairs.

Also considered for appointment is their profession and qualifications.

At least half of them must be persons who are not and have not been members of the Defence Forces, police and prison services, says the Constitution.

Also according to the supreme law, at least one of them must have held senior rank in the respective portfolios for one or more periods amounting to at least five years.