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Zimbabwe

Republic of Zimbabwe

Mixed Roman-Dutch and English common lawPresidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Harare
Population
16,300,000
Languages
English, Shona
Currency
ZWG

Zimbabwe · Constitution

Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20)

Adopted by referendum in 2013 after a long negotiated process, replacing the independence-era Lancaster House constitution. It creates a standalone Constitutional Court, includes justiciable socio-economic rights, requires all existing law to be construed consistently with the declaration of rights, and provides for devolution to provincial councils that has been only partly implemented. Amendments in 2017 and 2021 altered judicial appointment and tenure provisions.

The constitutional text

Adopted by referendum in 2013 after a long negotiated process, replacing the independence-era Lancaster House constitution. It creates a standalone Constitutional Court, includes justiciable socio-economic rights, requires all existing law to be construed consistently with the declaration of rights, and provides for devolution to provincial councils that has been only partly implemented. Amendments in 2017 and 2021 altered judicial appointment and tenure provisions.

Separation of powers

Constitutionally devolved to ten provinces with provincial and metropolitan councils, but implementation has lagged and central government retains effective control of provincial administration and revenue.

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