Immunity Clause in Zimbabwe Central Bank Reform Law Not a Blanket Amnesty

  • Gibbs Dube
ZANU-PF insisted on the clause as a condition for its support of the bill, but others say immunity should not be granted where funds were misused

Though Zimbabwe's majority Movement for Democratic Change and the former ruling ZANU-PF party last week cooperated in Parliament to pass central bank reform legislation, an amendment demanded by ZANU-PF granting immunity to RBZ Governor Gideon Gono and other officials remains controversial.

ZANU-PF insisted on the clause as a condition for its support of the bill, but others say immunity should not be granted where funds were misused.

Independent economoist John Robertson told VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube that the immunity language in the legislation will not prevent Reserve Bank officials who diverted funds from being brought to book.

In other economic news, Zimbabwe and South Africa were set on Friday to sign a long-delayed investment protection agreement that was held up by reluctance on the part of Harare to guarantee land ownership by foreigners.

Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma said he and his South African counterpart will sign a memorandum of understanding Friday in the presence of business delegations from both countries.