Ministers of Justice/ Attorneys General from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States have called for enhanced regional cooperation, signing of, ratification of, accession and implementation of SADC legal instruments to strengthen governance, uphold the rule of law, and accelerate regional integration across the SADC region.
The call was made during the Meeting of the SADC Committee of Ministers of Justice/ Attorneys General held in Victoria Falls, the Republic of Zimbabwe, on 5th June 2026. The meeting provided a platform for Member States to review progress on key legal and institutional matters while offering strategic guidance on regional legal matters and cooperation in the legal sector to facilitate the implementation of the objectives of SADC.
Honourable Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the SADC Committee of Ministers of Justice /Attorneys General, commended Member States for their unwavering commitment to the work of the Committee and their continued efforts to strengthen SADC's legal architecture.
She underscored the Committee's critical role in providing legal guidance on strategic instruments that support regional integration, sustainable development and economic transformation. Hon. Kubayi urged Member States to expedite the signing, ratification and implementation of SADC Protocols and other SADC Legal Instruments to ensure that regional commitments translate into tangible benefits for the people of Southern Africa.
Honourable Virginia Mabiza, the Attorney General of the Republic of Zimbabwe, highlighted the significance of the meeting as an important opportunity to assess progress in implementing previous decisions of the Committee and to strengthen accountability among Member States. She noted that the effective implementation of SADC Legal Instruments remains essential to achieving the objectives of the SADC Regional Integration Agenda.
Reaffirming the Republic of Zimbabwe's commitment to regional cooperation and collective progress, Hon. Mabiza called on Member States to deepen collaboration and maintain momentum in addressing emerging legal, governance and institutional challenges facing the SADC region. She stressed that stronger legal frameworks and coordinated action are fundamental to advancing shared regional aspirations.
His Excellency Mr. Elias Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC, also commended Member States for their continued support of the legal sector and their steadfast commitment to regional integration. He reflected on the central role of the Committee in ensuring that SADC's programmes, policies and institutions are anchored on a sound and coherent legal foundation.
H.E. Magosi further highlighted the strategic importance of the Committee's work in safeguarding the rule of law, strengthening regional institutions and facilitating the implementation of decisions that advance the objectives set forth in the SADC Treaty. He noted that a robust legal framework remains indispensable to building a more integrated, resilient and prosperous SADC region capable of responding effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities.
A key focus of the meeting was the consideration of several draft legal instruments for recommendation to the SADC Council of Ministers and subsequently the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government. Among the matters deliberated upon were:
The consideration and recommendation of judges for appointment to the SADC Administrative Tribunal for approval by Council;
The Draft Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty;
The Draft Charter Establishing the SADC Pharmaceuticals Pooled Procurement Services, aimed at coordinating regional procurement of medicines and health commodities to reduce costs and improve access to essential medicines across Member States;
The Draft Agreement Establishing the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, which seeks to facilitate tourism and cross-border travel through a harmonised visa system for participating Member States; and
Proposals to review and amend the SADC Protocol on Legal Affairs in areas requiring revision and modernization.
The meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Justice/Attorneys General meeting was preceded by the meeting of SADC Senior Legal Officials from Member States' Ministries of Justice and Attorneys General's Offices, held from 1 to 4 June 2026 in Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe. The Senior Legal officials reviewed technical and legal matters and prepared recommendations for consideration by the Committee.
The meeting brought together Ministers of Justice, Attorneys General, and senior Government officials from Republics of Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa and Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho, as well as the United Republic of Tanzania.
