Delays in Disaster Bill Blamed on AG’s Office Shor...

Delays in Disaster Bill Blamed on AG’s Office Shortage

Oscar J Jeke – Zim Now Reporter

The Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has raised alarm over persistent delays in finalizing the Disaster Risk Management and Civil Protection Bill, citing severe under-resourcing at the Attorney General’s Office as the primary bottleneck.

Presenting the Committee’s findings in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr. Maxmore Njanji revealed that the Attorney General’s Office continues to suffer from a chronic shortage of legislative drafters — a long-standing issue now blamed for stalling critical law-making processes, including the DRMCP Bill.

The legislation, aimed at overhauling Zimbabwe’s disaster preparedness and response framework, has been delayed for years.

“The protracted delay in finalizing the Bill is due to the shortage of drafters at the Attorney General’s Office,” said Dr. Njanji. “This has been a recurring challenge that has affected the finalization of several Bills, including the DRMCP.”

ACTIVISTA Zimbabwe, a youth-led civic organisation, petitioned Parliament over the delays, urging lawmakers to push for the Bill’s expedited completion. They also called for the decentralization of disaster funds and greater inclusion of marginalised groups in the disaster management process.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works acknowledged the validity of these concerns, admitting that the absence of a clear legislative framework continues to hinder effective disaster response.

Officials confirmed that weak laws have resulted in disjointed mandates at both national and local levels, leaving Zimbabwe vulnerable to increasingly frequent and complex disasters.

In a bid to overcome the drafting impasse, the Ministry and the Attorney General’s Office have begun outsourcing drafters. The Civil Protection Department has secured US$20,000 from development partners towards the US$60,000 needed to complete the drafting, validation, and approval of the Bill.

A roadmap has now been established, with the drafting process expected to be completed and the Bill submitted to Parliament by the end of 2024. This includes procurement of drafting services, validation of draft provisions, Parliamentary debate, and eventual submission to the President for assent.

“The roadmap will address key concerns raised by the petitioner, including provisions for decentralised disaster funding and participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” said Dr. Njanji.

The Committee further recommended that the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs urgently address staffing issues by improving working conditions at the Attorney General’s Office to attract and retain skilled personnel.

“By 30 June 2025, the Ministry must have submitted the DRMCP Bill to Parliament,” the Committee proposed, adding that partnerships with law faculties in universities should be initiated to train drafters who can be absorbed into the AG’s Office by December 2025.

Supporting the motion, Trymore Kanupula said: “Considering the impact of disasters in the country, I recommend the finalization of the DRMCP Bill. This is only possible if we properly resource the Attorney General’s Office.”

The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, echoed the need for institutional collaboration.

“All Committees must be alive to the existence of university law faculties and the Law Society of Zimbabwe. Engage and assist the Attorney General’s Office to expedite the drafting of Bills.”