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Country Background

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is bounded by Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, and Botswana. The capital of Zimbabwe is Harare. Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, including Shona (the most widely spoken), Ndebele (the second most widely spoken), and English (generally used for official business). The country's population in 2017 was approximately 13.8 million. Zimbabwe is a predominantly Christian country, with about 94% of the population Christian. 

Constitution & Legal Structure

Zimbabwe is referred to as a semi-presidential republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The current Constitution of Zimbabwe was adopted in 2013. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system of Zimbabwe is a mixed legal system consisting of common law, legislation, case law (precedent), and customary law. With the exception of criminal law, Zimbabwe's law is not codified. 

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Zimbabwe. 

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Zimbabwe. 

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Zimbabwe has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Legislative
  • Parliament - includes legislation
• Executive
  • Government Portal
  • Office of the President and Cabinet
• Judicial
  
  • SAFLII: Zimbabwe - includes judgments of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Bulawayo High Court, and Harare High Court

Unofficial Databases

• FAOLEX: Zimbabwe (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• NATLEX: Zimbabwe (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Zimbabwe (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Zimbabwe (World Intellectual Property Organization)

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].