Section 49: Right to personal liberty
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) Every person has the right to personal liberty, which includes the right—
(a) not to be detained without trial; and
(b) not to be deprived of their liberty arbitrarily or without just cause.
(2) No person may be imprisoned merely on the ground of inability to fulfil a contractual obligation.
Insight: Right to Personal Liberty
This section establishes fundamental protection against arbitrary detention, ensuring that the state cannot imprison citizens without proper legal proceedings. The prohibition against imprisonment for debt (contractual obligations) represents an important modernization of justice systems, moving away from historical practices where debtors could be jailed. These protections form a cornerstone of civil liberties by preventing the use of detention as a tool for intimidation or coercion.