Citizenship, Governance, Human Rights and Civic Responsibility
Citizenship
A citizen is a full member of a state, with rights and duties. Zimbabwean citizenship may be acquired by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation. Rights include life, dignity, education, health care, freedom of expression, assembly and association, and fair treatment before the law; duties include obeying the law, paying taxes, respecting others' rights and protecting public property and the environment.
The Constitution and the arms of state
The 2013 Constitution is the supreme law - any law or conduct inconsistent with it is void. Chapter 4 contains the Bill of Rights, enforced by the courts. State power is split between the Executive (President and Cabinet, which govern), the Legislature (Parliament: the National Assembly and the Senate, which make laws) and the Judiciary (magistrates' courts, High Court, Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, which interpret and apply the law). This separation of powers, with checks and balances, prevents any one arm from becoming too strong.
Devolution and local government
Chapter 14 provides for devolution, under which provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities (urban and rural district councils) deliver services and share national revenue. Traditional leaders work alongside councils in their areas.
Elections and independent bodies
Elections are held every five years by secret ballot and are run by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). Independent commissions such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission protect citizens' interests.
Trap: the judiciary interprets the law; it does not make it (that is Parliament) or implement policy (that is the Executive). Another trap is confusing local government with central government.
Rule of thumb: every right carries a matching responsibility - "my right ends where your nose begins".