Section 213: Deployment of Defence Forces

(1) Subject to this Constitution, only the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, has power—

    (a) to authorise the deployment of the Defence Forces; or

    (b) has power to determine the operational use of the Defence Forces.

(2) With the authority of the President, the Defence Forces may be deployed in Zimbabwe—

    (a) in defence of Zimbabwe;

    (b) in support of the Police Service in the maintenance of public order; or

    (c) in support of the Police Service and other civilian authorities in the event of an

emergency or disaster.

(3) With the authority of the President, the Defence Forces may be deployed outside Zimbabwe—

    (a) on peace-keeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations Organisation or

any other international or regional organisation of which Zimbabwe is a member;

    (b) to defend the territorial integrity of a foreign country;

    (c) in fulfilment of an international commitment; or

    (d) in defence of Zimbabwe’s national security or national interests.

(4) By a two-thirds majority of the total membership of Parliament at a joint sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly, Parliament may resolve that a deployment of the Defence Forces outside Zimbabwe should be rescinded.

(5) Where Parliament has resolved that a deployment of the Defence Forces outside Zimbabwe should be rescinded, the President must take all practical steps to withdraw the Defence Forces, taking due account of the need to ensure the safety of Zimbabwean personnel and equipment.