Riot Police

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Constitution of Zimbabwe: Limitation of rights and freedoms

  • The fundamental rights and freedoms set out in the Constitution must be exercised reasonably and with due regard for the rights and freedoms of other persons
  • The fundamental rights and freedoms set out in the Constitution may be limited only in terms of a law of general application and to the extent that the limitation is fair, reasonable, necessary and justifiable in a democratic society based on openness, justice, human dignity, equality and freedom, taking into account all relevant factors, including:
    1. The nature of the right or freedom concerned
    2. The purpose of the limitation, in particular whether it is necessary in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, regional or town planning or the general public interest
    3. The nature and extent of the limitation
    4. The need to ensure that the enjoyment of rights and freedoms by any person does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others
    5. The relationship between the limitation and its purpose, in particular whether it imposes greater restrictions on the right or freedom concerned than are necessary to achieve its purpose
    6. Whether there are any less restrictive means of achieving the purpose of the limitation.

No law may limit the following rights enshrined in the Constitution, and no person may violate them

  • The right to life, except when prescribed by the constitution
  • The right to human dignity
  • The right not to be tortured or subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading
    treatment or punishment
  • The right not to be placed in slavery or servitude
  • The right to obtain an order of habeas corpus (the right to appeal unlawful detention)

To access more topics go to the History Notes page.