LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR URGENT REVIEW OF VAGRANCY LAW

Parliamentary Legal affairs committee has recommended comprehensive review of the vagrancy law from section 180 to 184 of the penal code to ensure compliance with human rights standards.

The sections criminalize a person who has no visible means of subsistence, found loitering and cannot give a good account of himself.

Presenting a report in parliament, Chairperson of the committee Peter Dimba said this is because implementation of the vagrancy laws disproportionately target vulnerable groups in the society and infringes upon basic human rights.

Dimba therefore urges government through the ministry of justice facilitate amendment of the bill on the selected sections with urgency to meet up with the court’s timeline.

He has also requested the Judiciary to improve its system of transmitting judgement to the executive and parliament to ensure that all judgments and court directives are adhered to within the stipulated timelines.

Dimba said the legal affairs committee diligently consulted various stakeholders to address the cost directive.

“The committee is confident that the findings and recommendations that came from this report will result in well informed and effective legislation amendment in accordance with the court’s order,” said Dimba.

High court judge Zione Ntaba on July 22 2022 ordered that the section be reviewed within 24 months from the dates of the ruling.