Repeal Zimbabwe's Vagrancy Act Now!!!

We, the undersigned individuals and organisations, call on the Parliament of Zimbabwe to repeal the Vagrancy Act, a law that criminalizes homelessness and perpetuates the marginalization of vulnerable citizens.

Grounds for Repeal:

1.     Violation of the Constitution: The Vagrancy Act violates the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees the right to dignity, freedom, and equality. The law disproportionately targets vulnerable populations, exacerbating their marginalization. 

2.     Criminalization of Poverty: The law punishes individuals for being homeless, rather than addressing the root causes of poverty and homelessness such as lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, and economic instability.

3.     Discrimination: The Act disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including children, women, and people living with disabilities.

4.     Human Rights Violations: The law leads to arbitrary arrests, detention, and harassment of homeless individuals, violating their human rights.

5.     Violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter: International human rights frameworks and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights condemns the criminalization of homelessness as a violation of human rights provided for in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 

6.     Colonial Legacy: The Vagrancy Act has its roots in colonial-era legislation, designed to control and suppress the indigenous population. The continued use of this colonial law post-independence perpetuates systemic inequalities and discrimination. 

Repeal and Reform:

We urge the Parliament to repeal the Vagrancy Act [Chapter 10:25] and replace it with legislation that:

1.     Addresses the root causes of homelessness, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, and unemployment.

2.     Provides support and services for homeless individuals, including access to shelter, healthcare, and social services.

3.     Protects the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of their housing status.