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Herald Reporter

Parliament has short-listed 45 candidates to be interviewed for appointments to the Zimbabwe Media Commission, which has eight vacancies, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, which has four, and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, which has a single vacancy.

The Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders has set this Friday and July 10 as the days for interviews for the short-listed candidates. The decision to short-list the 45 candidates followed the expiry of terms and the resignation of some sitting commissioners, which resulted in Parliament inviting nominations to be considered to sit on the three independent commissions. Names of successful candidates will be submitted to the President who will make appointments from a list given to him in terms of the constitution.

Out of the 45 candidates, 18 have been short-listed for the Zimbabwe Media Commission for the eight vacancies, while 22 were short-listed for the four vacancies that arose in the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, with five candidates to fill in the single vacant at the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.

“In terms of the constitution, members of the Zimbabwe Media Commission must be chosen for their integrity and competence in administration, their knowledge and understanding of human rights issues and the best practices in media matters,” reads a notice published by Parliament of Zimbabwe.

“The Committee on Standing Rules and Orders met on 17 June and carried out an exhaustive analysis of the nominated candidates to look into their suitability for consideration to serve on this commission. Out of the 38 nominations received, 18 were short-listed to go forward to the next stage of the selection process, Friday’s interviews in the Senate chamber.”

Journalists top the list of short-listed candidates for the Zimbabwe Media Commission, according to a list published by Parliament.

They include former Zimpapers Television Network staffer Tichaona Zinhumwe, AB Communications chief executive Mrs Susan Makore and broadcaster Mqhele Tshuma.

Well-known candidates for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission are former senior police officer Mrs Angeline Guvamombe, former housing and community services director for Chitungwiza municipality Ms Jemina Gumbo and ZimRights former executive director Mr Okay Machisa.

During interviews, Parliament said it will observe Covid-19 restrictive measures, including wearing of masks.  Only limited numbers of people will be allowed to physically attend the interviews, but members of the public can follow the day’s proceedings through Zoom, Twitter and Facebook live streaming.