Counter Terrorism Legal Framework in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe as a member of the United Nations (UN) has put in place legislative measures against anti-money laundering and combating the financing of foreign and international terrorism (including mercenary activities) and proliferation financing pursuant to its commitment to international peace and security.

The Government of Zimbabwe has issued several laws, regulations directives and / or guidelines for the purpose of the implementation of relevant UN National Security Council Resolutions. Some of the significant pieces of legislation in Zimbabwe which deal with Anti – Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) include but are not limited to the following:

• Anti – Corruption Commission Act [Chapter 9:22]
• Bank Use Promotion Act [Chapter 24:24]
• Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013
• Criminal Matters (Mutual Assistance) Act [Chapter 9:06]
• Extradition Act [Chapter 9:08]
• Immigration Act [Chapter 4:02]
• Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act [Chapter 9:24]
• National Prosecuting Authority Act [Chapter 7:20]
• Trafficking in Persons Act [Chapter 9:25]
• Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Act [Chapter 11:21]

The above are some of the laws which have been promulgated in Zimbabwe by the government to fight against corruption, drug trafficking, fraud and terrorism, as well as assist the country to meet the international standards on AML/CFT.

It is also significant to note that apart from the above laws, there are several AML/CFT directives which have been issued in the country. More so, several statutory instruments have also been issued concerning the suppression of foreign and international terrorism in Zimbabwe. These include:

• Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism (Application of UNSCR 1540 (2004) 1673, 1810, 1887, 1977 (On Non-State Actor Proliferation), 1695, 1718, 1874 on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803 and 1929, UNSCR 2094 (2013), 2231 (2015) UNSCR 2270 (2016), UNSCR 2321 (2016), UNSCR 2371 (2017), UNSCR 2375 (2017) UNSCR 2397 (2017) and Successor UNSCRs) Regulations, 2019.
• Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism (APPLICATION OF UNSCR 1540 (2004) 1673, 1810, 1887, 1977 (ON NON-STATE ACTOR PROLIFERATION), 1695, 1718, 1874 ON DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803 AND 1929, UNSCR 2094 (2013), 2231 (2015) UNSCR 2270 (2016), UNSCR 2321 (2016), UNSCR 2371 (2017), OF UNSCR 2375 (2017) UNSCR 2397 (2017) AND SUCCESSOR UNSCRS) Regulations, 2021.
• Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism (Application of UNSCR 1540 (2004) 1673, 1810, 1887, 1977 (on Non-State Actor Proliferation), UNSCRs 1965, 1718, 1874 (on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and UNSCRs 1696, 1747, 1803 and 1929, UNSCR 2094 (2013), 2231 (2015) UNSCR 2270 (2016), UNSCR 2321 (2016), UNSCR 2371 (2017), UNSCR 2375 (2017), UNSCR 2397 (2017) and Successor UNSCRs) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023) (No. 1).

Further to the above, it must be highlighted that not only has Zimbabwe put in place a National Taskforce on AML/CFT, the country has also established a National Anti- Money Laundering Advisory Committee which currently comprises the following:

• (a) The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIA)
• (b) Department of Immigration
• (c) Law Enforcement Agencies
• (d) National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
• (e) Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)