Zimbabwe Delegation Attends SADC Parliamentary Forum Session in Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Zimbabwean parliamentarians, including Senator Maybe Mbohwa, are attending the Standing Committee Session ahead of the 60th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), being held in Johannesburg from October 12 to 15, 2026.

The four-day meeting is focusing on strengthening parliamentary leadership in translating regional commitments into national laws and policies, with particular emphasis on regional integration, constitutionalism and the rule of law.

Held under the theme, “From Regional Commitments to National Action: Strengthening Parliamentary Leadership for Regional Integration, Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law,” the session seeks to address challenges faced by SADC member states in ratifying, implementing and enforcing regional protocols, model laws and policies.

Parliamentarians are expected to use their legislative, oversight, budgetary and representative responsibilities to advance the implementation of regional agreements at national level.

A key highlight of the meeting is the launch of a Child Marriage Tracking Dashboard designed to monitor the implementation of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage.

The dashboard is expected to strengthen accountability and provide evidence on progress made by member states in incorporating measures to combat child marriage into their national legal frameworks.

The programme also includes training for members of parliament on SADC’s legal and institutional structures, covering areas such as trade, infrastructure, free movement, peace and security, and industrialisation.

The training is aligned with the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030 and SADC Vision 2050, which guide the regional bloc’s long-term integration and development agenda.

Discussions on constitutionalism and the rule of law will also feature prominently, with parliamentarians examining constitutional review and reform, separation of powers, electoral integrity, fundamental rights and democratic resilience.

The deliberations are expected to contribute to the development of the Draft SADC Model Law on Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law, aimed at strengthening democratic governance across the region.

The session will conclude on Thursday with meetings of four standing committees responsible for democratisation, governance and human rights; gender equality, women advancement and youth development; food, agriculture, natural resources and climate action; and trade, industry, finance and investment.

The meeting is expected to produce parliamentary recommendations and country-specific action points to guide legislative reviews and strengthen oversight of regional commitments.

SADC, established in 1992, brings together countries in Southern Africa to promote regional integration, peace, security and sustainable development.