The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is a premier public interest environmental law organisation which seeks to promote environmental justice, sustainable and equitable use of natural resources, democracy and good governance in the natural resources and environment sector. ZELA’s work is mainly anchored on a core group of rights which are reflective of natural resources governance namely; Environmental, Economic, Social and Cultural (EESC) rights. As such a large component of the organisation's work involves influencing implementation and reforms within legal and institutional frameworks governing the environment and natural resources sector through research, civic education and advocacy.
As an organisation we believe that having adequate laws in place and monitoring implementation are the first steps towards good governance of natural resources and the environment. For the past 20 years, we have managed to make notable contributions to the legal, policy and institutional frameworks governing the environment and natural resources sector for broad based sustainable environmental and socio-economic development through our work in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Through this newsletter, we get to share with you relevant updates as we drive our mission of promoting environmental justice through sustainable and equitable utilization of natural resources and environmental protection. |
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Important Notice from ZELA
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ATTENTION: ZELA PARTNERS,DONORS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
RE: COVID-19 MEASURES AND STRATEGIES TO REDUCE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS
Greetings and here is hoping I find you well and safe.
With the deadly novel coronavirus COVID 19 that has drastically affected most parts of Asia, Europe, North America and spreading into Africa, there is every reason for Zimbabwe to be worried, despite having few officially recorded cases to date. As you will see, as the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) we have closed our office for now from the 23rd of March and requested most of our staff to work from home, except for a few staff who will on a need basis be required to be in the office to provide “essential services”. The organisation has also put in place measures to ensure that the health and safety of such staff and other ZELA staff is protected (please see Appendix 1)
As an organisation concerned about protecting and advancing human welfare, we are continuously monitoring and assessing the rapidly changing environment through our safeguarding team, and our thoughts are with the many people who have been affected globally. We are also following the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, our Ministry of Health and Presidential pronouncements in order to keep our team adequately informed on the widespread effects of this pandemic.
As ZELA, we would greatly appreciate any support that our partners can provide us to help cushion our staff during this crucial moment, since our human capital is most important to the work we do. In the meantime, we are trying our best to support our staff with little unrestricted funds we have in our coffers.
Best Regards,
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Mutuso Dhliwayo
Executive Director
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Without brushing off Chinese Aid,where is the money from our mineral wealth going?
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It seems like the donation made by the Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma, has given an adrenaline shot to government’s efforts to control the scourge of coronavirus. Without brushing off the significance of Jack Ma’s act of kindness to Africa and other parts of the world, in Zimbabwe, the knowledge that without this aid, we had nowhere to start is quite scary. If you want to look for evidence of resource curse, then look no further than this story of a country endowed with vast mineral wealth, with no internal capabilities to protect its citizens against pandemics. Yes, we have seen developed countries like Italy and Spain getting overwhelmed by coronavirus. So, one can argue easily, what more can a developing country like Zimbabwe do? At the surface, this line of thinking is compelling. Yet if we dig deeper, Zimbabwe has in the past struggled to contain medieval diseases like cholera. This is a country endowed with second largest known platinum deposits in the whole world after South Africa. Under explored, Zimbabwe has over 40 known mineral deposits like gold, lithium, diamonds and chrome. Even though annual surveys on investment attractiveness of mining sector jurisdictions conducted by Fraser Institute of Canada find our policy framework repugnant, they rate us highly on geological potential. Underlisted are critical points for government, industry and citizens to reflect on mineral resource governance reforms that are fundamental to safeguard the welfare of Zimbabweans;
- We cannot think of any better way to show that mining can deliver sustainable benefits to communities where resources are extracted than ring fencing mineral tax revenue to fight corona virus. After all, the Constitution, on national development issues, impels the State to put mechanisms to ensure communities benefit from resources in their localities. When a capital city, Harare, has no capacity whatsoever to handle corona virus, what more of remote, marginalized but resource rich rural areas like Marange.
- Government has a plan to grow annual earnings to US12 billion per year by 2023. An impressive figure constantly punctuating speeches delivered by policy makers. Just to placate the public, government isn’t rudderless on economic challenges, there is light at demise of Mugabe. Export earnings from mining are meaningless to citizens if figures for tax revenues to finance service delivery are unknown. Exactly why government must follow up on its commitment to join the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). Globally, EITI is regarded as benchmark for promoting open and accountable governance of oil, gas and mineral sector. Nearly half (24) of EITI implementing countries are in Africa, and in the SADC region, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and DRC are part of this initiative..........Click here for more information.
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The right of access to water in Zimbabwe in the face of COVID-19
The 22 nd of March 2020 marked the World Water Day annual commemoration with this year’s celebration running under the theme “Water and climate change.” The day was however eclipsed by the worldwide outbreak and spread of a viral disease COVID-19. A pandemic declared as such by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the 11 th of March 2020. Governments were called to take urgent steps to curb the spread of the disease.
Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa summed up the government’s response during the state of the nation address on 23 March 2020 where he said the following statement, “We are mobilising resources. This pandemic did not give notice that it was coming”. The President’s declaration that the pandemic did not give notice flies in the face of evidence........... Click here for more information.
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Zimbabwe embraces the Beneficial Ownership register in its new Companies & Other Business Entities Act
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Zimbabwe has managed to come up with the new Companies and other Business Entities Act. The Act requires companies to keep and maintain a register of beneficial owners of the company and to file such information with the Registrar of Companies. This is a baby step which has brought slight hope to the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Zimbabwe on transparency and accountability in the mining sector.
PWYP-Zimbabwe is advocating for reforms and implementation of initiatives, laws and policies that promote transparency and accountability in the mining sector which are aligned with international best practices. With effect from January 1,2020, the beneficial ownership registry is now a requirement under the new Extractives Transparency Initiative (EITI) standard.….Click here for more information.
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Fight for environmental justice in Zimbabwe
The unrestricted usage of mercury - a highly toxic chemical - in gold mining operations across Zimbabwe is wreaking havoc in communities around the country, leading to rampant illness and deaths and inflicting terrible damage on the environment........ Click here for more information.
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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
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Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following: Click here for more information. |
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Conversations that matter
@josychiname on Twitter
As we practice social distancing to avoid the spread of #COVID2019 let's not forget how such a disruption to daily routines affect our children. Let's take time to explain and support our little ones #childrenmattertoo
Blogs
http://www.zela.org/womenmajor-actors-in-the-fight-against-covid-19/
Upcoming Events
1.To Be Advised-several virtual meetings loading.......
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
There are those who are peddling rumors about #COVID-19. Do not be a victim,make sure you rely on reliable sources.
#s
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