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Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (16) Act, 2000

"Section 16A Agricultural land acquired for resettlement

  1. In regard to the compulsory acquisition of agricultural land for the resettlement of people in accordance with a programme of land reform, the following factors shall be regarded as of ultimate and overriding importance –
  1. under colonial domination the people of Zimbabwe were unjustifiably dispossessed of their landand other resources without compensation;
  2. the people subsequently took up arms in order to regain their land and political sovereignty, and this ultimately resulted in the Independence of Zimbabwe in 1980;
  3. the people of Zimbabwe must be enabled to reassert their rights and regain ownership of their land;

and accordingly : -

  1. the former colonial power has an obligation to pay compensation for agricultural land compulsorily acquired for resettlement, through a fund established for that purpose; and
  2. if the former colonial power fails to pay compensation through such fund, the Government of Zimbabwe has no obligation to pay compensation for agricultural land compulsorily acquired for resettlement.

 

  1. In view of the overriding considerations set out in subsection (1), where agricultural land is acquired compulsorily for the resettlement of people in accordance with a programme of land reform, the following factors shall be taken into account in the assessment of any compensation that may be payable : -
  1. the history of the ownership, use and occupation of the land;
  2. the price paid for the land when it was acquired;
  3. the cost or value of improvements on the land;
  4. the current use to which the land and any improvements on it are being put;
  5. any investment which the State or the acquiring authority may have made which improved or enhanced the value of the land and any improvements on it;
  6. the resources available to the acquiring authority in implementing the programme of land reform;
  7. any financial constraints that necessitate the payment of compensation in installments over a period of time; and
  8. any other relevant factor that may be specified in an Act of Parliament."

 

Extract from the Draft Constitution to illustrate that statements made that the President could "hire and fire" the Prime Minister were untrue

 

94. Tenure of office of Prime Minister

The office of Prime Minister becomes vacant: -

  1. if the President removes him or her from office : -
  1. on the grounds that he or she is no longer able to command a majority in Parliament: - or
  2. following a vote of no confidence in the Government passed by the National Assembly;
  1. if he or she resign from office by notice in writing to the President; or
  2. upon the assumption of office by a new President.