ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Section

1. Short title.

2. Interpretation.

3. Application of Act.

PART II

TECHNICAL, VOCATIONAL AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

4. Promotion of technical and vocational education.

5. Classification of technical or vocational institutions and teachers colleges.

6. Establishment of Government institutions, facilities, schemes, etc.

7. Fees payable at Government institutions.

8. Non-Government institutions to be registered.

9. Registration of non-Government institutions.

10. Cancellation of registration of non-Government institutions.

11. Appeals regarding registration.

12. Prohibition of further operations after cancellation of registration.

13. Refund for fees paid to institution whose registration is cancelled.

14. Grants and loans to institutions, persons, etc.

15. Duty of employers in relation to employment of certain former students.

16. Amenities funds.

17. Maintenance of records at institutions.

18. Restrictions on training in designated trades.

PART III

NATIONAL MANPOWER ADVISORY COUNCIL

19. Establishment and functions of Council.

20. Appointment of members of Council.

21. Disqualifications for appointment to Council.

22. Terms and conditions of office of members of Council.

23. Vacation of office by members of Council.

24. Suspension of members of Council.

25. Filling of vacancies on Council.

26. Chairman and vice-chairman of Council.

27. Meetings and procedure of Council.

28. Committees of Council.

29. Minutes of proceedings of Council and committees.

30. Remuneration and allowances of members of Council and committees.

31. Guidance of professional bodies in respect of national manpower requirements.

PART IV

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING AND SKILLED WORKER CERTIFICATION

32. Designation of trades and prescription of conditions of apprenticeship and skilled worker certification.

33. Employment in designated trades.

34. Registration of persons as candidates for apprenticeship.

35. Registration of employers.

36. Recruitment of apprentices by employers.

37. Register of apprentices, employers and contracts of apprenticeship.

38. Contracts of apprenticeship.

39. Credit for previous training or experience.

40. Contract of apprenticeship not affected by lawful strike or lockout.

41. Extension of period of apprenticeship.

42. Transfer, modification and rescission of contacts of apprenticeship.

43. Completion of contracts of apprenticeship.

44. Certification of skilled workers.

45. Cancellation and suspension of certificates of skilled worker qualification.

46. Appeals against decisions of Secretary.

PART V

ZIMBABWE MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT FUND

47. Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund.

48. Application of Fund.

49. Advances to Fund.

50. Accounts and audit of Fund.

51. Financial year of Fund.

52. Holding of Fund.

53. Imposition of levies.

54. Payment, collection and recovery of levies.

55. Amended levy assessments.

PART VI

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF FUND AND OTHER EMPLOYEES

56. Appointment and remuneration of Chief Executive of Fund.

57. Functions of Chief Executive and other employees.

PART VII

MANPOWER RESEARCH AND PLANNING

58. Manpower surveys and plans.

59. Power to obtain information.

PART VIII

GENERAL

60. Powers to enter and inspect and obtain information.

61. Information to be kept confidential.

62. Delegation of functions by Secretary.

63. Establishment and administration of Government scholarship schemes.

64. Sale of products of practical training.

65. Recognition of associations of lecturers.

66. Offences and penalties.

67. Certificates as evidence.

68. Presumption re conduct of institution.

69. Regulations.

70. Savings and transitional provisions

71. Additional savings and recalculation of certain levies

AN ACT to provide for the establishment, maintenance and operation of technical or vocational institutions, universities, teachers colleges and vocational training schemes and to provide for and promote the research, planning and development of human resources; to provide for the establishment and functions of a National Manpower Advisory Council; to provide for the training of apprentices and the certification of skilled workers; to provide for the continued existence of the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund and for the imposition of levies to finance manpower development and for other purposes; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

[Date of commencement: 1st November, 1995.]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Manpower Planning and Development Act [Chapter 28:02].

2 Interpretation

(1) In this Act-

"apprentice" means any person employed in a designated trade under a registered contract of apprenticeship;

"certificate of skilled worker qualification" means a certificate of skilled worker qualification issued in terms of section forty-four;

"Chief Executive" means the Chief Executive of the Fund appointed in terms of section fifty-six;

"committee" means a committee of the Council established in terms of section twenty-eight;

"Council" means the National Manpower Advisory Council established in terms of section nineteen;

"designated trade" means a trade declared to be a designated trade in terms of section thirty-two;

"employee" means any person employed by or working for an employer, whether on a permanent, temporary or contract basis;

"employer" means-

(a) any person whatsoever who employs or provides work for another person and remunerates or expressly or tacitly undertakes to remunerate him, and includes the manager, agent or representative of such first-mentioned person who is in charge or control of the work upon which such other person is employed; or (b) the Ministry, in respect of any apprentice indentured to the Ministry; or

(c) any person for whom any other person carries out work, whether or not the latter receives remuneration; or (d) any self-employed person;

"examination" means-

(a) any test conducted in terms of paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section forty-four to determine whether or not a person is qualified to be issued with a certificate of skilled worker qualification; or

(b) a formal examination conducted at a technical or vocational institution or a teachers college;

(c) any other formal examination recognized by the Minister for the purposes of this Act;

"Fund" means the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund referred to in section forty-seven;

"hostel" means any building used for the boarding accommodation of students

attending a technical or vocational institution or teachers college;

"human resources" means skills or labour utilized by persons in any profession, designated trade or occupation;

"industry" includes any class of industrial undertaking and any section or portion of an industry and any group of industries;

"lecturer" includes a head of a technical or vocational institution and a principal of a teachers college;

"levy" means a levy imposed in terms of section fifty-three;

"manpower plan" means an outline of-

(a) skills that will be required nationally or in relation to any particular profession, trade or occupation; and

(b) strategies to be employed in providing the skills referred to in paragraph (a);

over a period specified in the plan;

"Minister" means the Minister of Higher Education and Technology or any other Minister to whom the President may, from time to time, assign the administration of this Act, and "Ministry" shall be construed accordingly;

"premises" includes any land or building or structure upon or below the surface of any land;

"profession" means an occupation or activity the practice of which-

(a) is restricted by any enactment to persons who are registered or qualified in terms of that enactment; or

(b) is regulated by or in terms of any enactment;

"registered", in relation to-

(a) a technical or vocational institution or a teachers college, means registered in terms of section nine;

(b) an employer, means registered in terms of section thirty-five; (c) a candidate for apprenticeship, means registered in terms of section thirty-four;

(d) an apprentice or a contract of apprenticeship, means registered in terms of section thirty-seven;

"responsible authority", in relation to any college or institution, means the person responsible for the establishment and management of the college or institution; "Secretary", subject to section sixty-two, means the Secretary of the Ministry;

"skilled worker" means the holder of a certificate of skilled worker qualification; "student" means a person enrolled at any institution or college for the purposes of study or training;

"teachers college" means any institution providing teacher education;

"teacher education" means the education or training of teachers, but does not include any training or instruction specified in terms of subsection (2);

"technical or vocational education" means any form of training or instruction, whether personal by correspondence, which is given to a person over the age of sixteen years and which is intended to qualify or is capable of qualifying such a person in whole or in part for any profession, calling or trade, but does not include any training or instruction specified in terms of subsection (2);

"technical or vocational institution" means any institution which provides technical or vocational education;

"trade" includes any branch of a trade and any group of trades or branches of trades.

(2) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, specify that any training or instruction shall not be regarded as teacher education or as technical or vocational education for the purposes of this Act. 3 Application of Act

(1) This Act shall not apply to-

(a) any school to which the Education Act, [Chapter 25:04], applies; or (b) any institution which provides education or training that is solely religious, social or recreational.

(2) To the extent that this Act is inconsistent with any other Act regulating the establishment or conduct of any institution, the provisions of that other Act shall prevail.

PART II

TECHNICAL, VOCATIONAL AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

4 Promotion of technical and vocational education

Subject to this Act, the Minister shall exercise his powers under this Act to promote the following objectives-

(a) the establishment and development of institutions devoted to the production of qualified professional manpower; and

(b) the co-ordination and standardization of technical or vocational education; and

(c) the control and standardization of professional qualifications, other than degrees awarded by a university; and

(d) the provision of a comprehensive and constantly developing service for teacher education, technical or vocational institutions and for technical or vocational education.

5 Classification of technical and vocational institutions and teachers colleges (1) Technical or vocational institutions and teachers colleges in Zimbabwe shall be classified as-

(a) either Government or non-Government technical or vocational institutions or teachers colleges, as the case may be; and

(b) in such other categories as the Minister may determine.

(2) The Minister may at any time-

(a) amend any category into which technical or vocational institutions or teachers colleges are classified in terms of paragraph (b) of subsection (1); or (b) reclassify any technical or vocational institution or teachers college that has been classified in terms of subsection (1).

6 Establishment of Government institutions, facilities, schemes, etc.

The Minister may-

(a) establish, equip and maintain such technical or vocational teachers colleges and hostels therefor as he may consider necessary or desirable for the instruction of persons in technical or vocational skills and teacher education; and

(b) establish schemes for manpower development, including the establishment, equipment and maintenance of institutions for training and research in advanced technology; and

(c) provide facilities for teacher education, technical or vocational education and for the training of persons to provide such education; and (d) provide conditions promoting research and development.

7 Fees payable at Government institutions

(1) The Minister, in consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, may fix from time to time the fees payable for-

(a) instruction at any institution referred to in section six; or (b) residence in any hostel referred to in section six; or (c) the use of any facility provided in terms of section six; or (d) any other thing provided or done in terms of section six.

(2) In the exercise of his powers under subsection (1), the Minister may fix different fees for different classes of institutions, hostels, facilities, things or persons.

(3) The Minister may grant rebates, refunds or remissions, whether in whole or in part, of the fees payable in terms of this section as he may consider necessary or desirable.

8 Non-Government institutions to be registered

No person shall conduct, maintain or manage any non-Government teachers college or technical or vocational institution unless the college or institution has been registered in terms of section nine.

9 Registration of non-Government institutions

(1) An application for the registration of a non-Government teachers college or technical or vocational institution shall be made to the Secretary not later than three months before the proposed opening of the college or institution, and shall be made in such form and manner and accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed.

(2) The Secretary shall examine every application submitted to him in terms of subsection (1) and shall notify the applicant of his decision thereon within thirty days after receiving the application.

(3) If, after examining an application for the registration of a college or institution in terms of subsection (2), the Secretary is satisfied-

(a) that the premises, including any hostel, are suitable and adequate for the purposes of the college or institution, regard being had to the number, age and sex of the students who will attend the college or institution; and

(b) that efficient and suitable instruction will be provided at the college or institution, regard being had to the number, age and sex of the students who will attend the college or institution; and

(c) that the principal or head and every member of staff of the college or institution is a suitably qualified person; and

(d) that the funds of the responsible authority of the college or institution will be sufficient to satisfy any claim that a student may have for the repayment of fees paid by him; and

(e) where the responsible authority of the college or institution- (i) is a natural person, that he is domiciled in Zimbabwe;

(ii) is a company, that the company is registered in Zimbabwe;

(iii) is an association of persons other than a company, that the majority of persons directing the affairs of the association are domiciled in Zimbabwe; and

( f ) that there will be proper compliance with this Act and any standards fixed under it;

he shall register the college or institution and publish notice of its registration in the Gazette within twenty-one days thereafter.

(4) If the Secretary is not satisfied as to any matter referred to in subsection (3), he shall notify the applicant in writing that, for reasons which the Secretary shall specify in the notification, he has rejected his application or that he proposes to grant it only after the applicant has, within a period fixed by the Secretary, complied to the Secretary's satisfaction with such requirements regarding any matter referred to in subsection (3) as the Secretary may specify.

(5) If an applicant fails to comply to the Secretary's satisfaction with any requirement referred to in subsection (4) within the period specified by the Secretary in terms of that subsection, or within any extension of that period granted by the Secretary in writing, the Secretary shall notify the applicant in writing that he has rejected the application.

10 Cancellation of registration of non-Government institutions

(1) If, in regard to any registered teachers college or technical or vocational institution, the Secretary is not satisfied as to any matter referred to in subsection (3) of section nine, he shall notify the responsible authority in writing that he proposes to cancel the registration of the college or institution unless, within a period specified by the Secretary, the responsible authority complies to the Secretary's satisfaction with such requirements regarding any matter referred to in that subsection as the Secretary may specify.

(2) If the responsible authority of a teachers college or a technical or vocational institution fails to comply, to the Secretary's satisfaction, with any requirement referred to in subsection (1) within the period specified by the Secretary in terms of that subsection, or within any extension of that period granted by the Secretary in writing, the Secretary shall notify the responsible authority in writing that he has cancelled the registration of the college or institution, and shall publish notice of the cancellation in the Gazette within twenty-one days thereafter:

Provided that, if an appeal is noted in terms of section eleven against the cancellation, the Secretary shall not publish a notice in the Gazette until the cancellation is finally confirmed on appeal.

11 Appeals regarding registration

(1) If any person is aggrieved by any decision of the Secretary-

(a) in terms of subsection (4) or (5) of section nine to reject his application for the registration of a teachers college or a technical or vocational institution; or

(b) in terms of subsection (2) of section ten to cancel the registration of this teachers college or technical or vocational institution;

he may, within thirty days after being notified of the rejection or cancellation, by notice in writing setting out his reasons, appeal to the Minister against the Secretary's decision.

(2) On an appeal in terms of subsection (1), the Minister may confirm the Secretary's decision or make such other decision as, in his opinion, the Secretary should have made, and shall cause the appellant to be notified of the decision and of the reasons for the decision.

(3) Any person who is dissatisfied with any decision of the Minister in terms of subsection (2) may, within thirty days after being notified of it, appeal to the High Court.

(4) On an appeal in terms of subsection (3), the High Court may confirm the decision of the Secretary which was the subject of the Minister's decision or may make such other decision as, in the court's opinion, the Secretary should have made in the matter.

(5) The noting of an appeal against a decision referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) or subsection (3) shall suspend the effect of the decision against which the appeal is made until the appeal is finally determined.

12 Prohibition of further operations after cancellation of registration

Subject to subsection (5) of section eleven, no person shall continue to conduct, maintain or manage a non-Government teachers college or technical or vocational institution after the Secretary has, in terms of subsection (2) of section ten, notified the responsible authority thereof in writing that he has cancelled the registration of the college or institution.

13 Refund of fees paid to institution whose registration is cancelled

Notwithstanding any law or agreement to the contrary, where the registration of a teachers college or technical or vocational institution has been cancelled or the college or institution ceases to operate, any person who has paid a fee for education or training at the college or institution or for accommodation at any hostel or boarding facility provided by the college or institution shall be entitled to recover from the responsible authority of the college or institution such part of the fee as was paid in respect of education, training or accommodation, as the case may be, which he has not received as a result of the cancellation of registration or of the institution or college's ceasing to operate, as the case may be:

Provided that no amount shall be recoverable under this section by a person whose wrongful act or omission caused or contributed towards the cancellation of the registration or the institution or college's ceasing to operate.

14 Grants and loans to institutions, persons, etc.

(1) Subject to this section, the Minister, after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, may make a grant or loan to or in respect of any teachers college, technical or vocational institution, university or university college, or to any other person or institution, for any one or more of the following purposes-

(a) tuition for students enrolled at the college, institution or university concerned;

(b) accommodation for students enrolled at the college, institution or university concerned;

(c) salaries or remuneration of lecturers employed at the college, institution or university concerned;

(d) any amenities fund established in terms of section sixteen;

(e) any work in furtherance of technical or vocational education or training.

(2) A grant or loan referred to in subsection (1)-

(a) shall be in such amount and made subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, may fix: Provided that the Minister shall ensure that, so far as possible, the same amounts are paid in respect of students attending equivalent courses at Government and non-Government colleges, universities or institutions; and

(b) may be paid wholly from moneys appropriated for the purpose by Act of Parliament or from the Fund, or partly from such moneys and partly from the Fund, as the Minister, may determine; and

(c) may be disbursed to the responsible authority of the college, institution or university concerned or to such other person as the Minister may determine in each individual case.

(3) Where a grant or loan has been paid to or in respect of any college, institution or university in terms of this section and the registration of the college, institution or university is cancelled or the college, institution or university closes down before the expiry of the period in respect of which the grant or loan was made, the Minister may recover from the responsible authority or person who operated the college, institution or university such part of the total amount of the grant or loan as represents to such total amount the same proportion as the unexpired part of the period in respect of which the grant or loan was made bears to the whole of that period.

(4) Where-

(a) any college, institution or university to which or person to whom a grant or loan has been paid in terms of this section fails to comply with any term or condition fixed by the Minister in terms of subsection (2); or

(b) a grant or loan was paid to any college, institution, university or person in terms of this section on the basis of any false or incorrect information; the Minister may recover the amount of the grant or loan from the college, university, institution or person concerned.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of section 15 of the Prescription Act, [Chapter 8:11], the period of prescription of a debt arising out of a loan made in terms of this section shall be thirty years.

15 Duty of employers in relation to employment of certain former students (1) Every employer who engages a person who, within the five years immediately preceding the engagement, was a student at a teachers college, technical or vocational institution, university or university college in Zimbabwe, shall notify the Secretary, within thirty days of the engagement, of the name and address of the person so engaged.

(2) The Secretary may in writing direct an employer to effect such monthly deduction from the remuneration of any person referred to in subsection (1) as he thinks reasonable for the purpose of discharging that person's liability for- (a) any loan made to him in terms of section fourteen; or

(b) the repayment of any amount which he owes to the State or the Fund under a scholarship scheme established under section sixty-three; or

(c) any penalty incurred by him under regulations made for a purpose referred to in paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section sixty-nine; and the employer shall take all reasonable steps to comply with the direction.

16 Amenities funds

(1) When so required by the Minister, a fund to be known as an amenities fund shall be established, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, for every Government teachers college or technical or vocational institution, for the purpose of furthering cultural or recreational activities or facilities for students attending the college or institution.

(2) The Minister may-

(a) fix fees payable by or in respect of students attending a Government teachers college or technical or vocational institution to any amenities fund established in terms of subsection (1) for the college or institution, and may at any time vary any such fees; and

(b) grant such rebates, refunds or remissions, whether in whole or in part, of any fees payable in terms of paragraph (a) as he may determine from time to time; and

(c) permit donations, grants and moneys raised for the benefit of the college or institution concerned to be paid into an amenities fund established in terms of subsection (1).

(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Audit and Exchequer Act [Chapter 22:03], any fees, donations, grants and other moneys paid in terms of paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (2) to any amenities fund, and any grant or loan made in terms of section fourteen to any such fund, shall be paid into that amenities fund.

17 Maintenance of records at institutions

The responsible authority of every registered teachers college and technical or vocational institution shall-

(a) maintain and furnish to the Secretary, at his request, such particulars of the training given at the college or institution as the Secretary may require in writing; and

(b) keep a register of the lecturers or instructors employed at the college or institution showing their qualifications and experience, if any; and

(c) keep such other records and accounts relating to the college or institution as may be prescribed or as the Secretary may require in writing.

18 Restrictions on training in designated trades

No person shall give or offer to give any training in a designated trade at any nonGovernment teachers college or non-Government technical or vocational institution unless the college or institution is licensed by the Secretary for the purpose in such form and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

PART III

NATIONAL MANPOWER ADVISORY COUNCIL

19 Establishment and functions of Council

(1) Subject to this Part, there shall be a council, to be known as the National Manpower Advisory Council, consisting of not more than twenty and not fewer than ten members appointed by the Minister in terms of section twenty.

(2) The functions of the Council shall be-

(a) on its own initiative or at the request of the Minister, to investigate and make recommendations to the Minister on any matter affecting national manpower development and training; and

(b) to perform any other function assigned to the Council by or in terms of this Act.

(3) Without limitation on subsection (2), the Council may advise the Minister on all or any of the following matters-

(a) the establishment and maintenance by the Minister of such schemes for manpower development and training as will ensure an adequate supply of trained manpower for industry and for all professions, trades and occupations in Zimbabwe; (b) measures to improve national manpower development and training programmes;

(c) techniques for detecting in advance the possible impact on any profession or trade of technological developments;

(d) conditions or requirements for the establishment and conduct of teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions;

(e) the standard of facilities to be provided by employers for apprenticeship and skilled worker training;

( f ) the designation of trades for the purposes of this Act;

(g) standards for the certification of skilled worker qualifications and for the recognition of qualifications or levels of competence;

(h) the standardization of training programmes and examinations for the purposes of any trade or industry;

(i) the selection of persons wishing to be trained at Government teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions;

( j) the imposition and collection of any levy;

(k) promoting and mobilizing support for manpower development and training programmes of the Government, including the organization of congresses of representatives of such institutions and agencies as the Minister may approve.

(4) The Council shall respond promptly to any request by the Minister for advice in terms of this Act.

20 Appointment of members of Council

(1) Subject to section twenty-one, members of the Council shall be appointed by the

Minister from persons nominated by such-

(a) employer and employee organizations; and

(b) Government departments; and

(c) statutory bodies, including local authorities; and

(d) professional organizations; as the Minister may invite to submit nominations.

(2) Before appointing a person to the Council in terms of subsection (1), the Minister shall consult the President and shall act in accordance with such directions as the President may give him.

21 Disqualifications for appointment to Council

The Minister shall not appoint a person as a member of the Council and no person shall be qualified to hold office as a member if- (a) he is not a citizen of Zimbabwe; or

(b) he has been adjudged or otherwise declared insolvent or bankrupt in terms of a law in force in any country, and has not been rehabilitated or discharged; or

(c) he has made an assignment to or arrangement or composition with his creditors in terms of a law in force in any country, and the assignment, arrangement or composition has not been rescinded or set aside; or

(d) within the period of five years immediately preceding his proposed appointment, he has been sentenced-

(i) in Zimbabwe, in respect of an offence; or

(ii) outside Zimbabwe, in respect of conduct which, if committed in

Zimbabwe, would have constituted an offence;

to a term of imprisonment of not less than six months imposed without the option of a fine, whether or not any portion has been suspended, and has not received a free pardon.

(2) A member of Parliament shall not be appointed as a member of the Council, nor shall he be qualified to hold office as a member of the council 22 Terms and conditions of office of members of Council

(1) A member of the Council shall hold office for such period, not exceeding three years, as the Minister may fix at the time of his appointment.

(2) On the expiry of the period for which a member of the Council has been appointed, he shall continue to hold office until he has been re-appointed or his successor has been appointed:

Provided that a member shall not continue to hold office in terms of this subsection for more than six months.

(3) A person who ceases to be a member of the Council shall be eligible for reappointment.

(4) Members of the Council shall hold office on such conditions as the Minister may fix.

23 Vacation of office by members of Council

(1) A member of the Council shall vacate and his office his office shall become vacant-

(a) one month after the date he gives notice in writing to the Minister of his intention to resign his office or after the expiry of such other period of notice as he and the Minister may agree; or

(b) on the date he begins to serve a sentence of imprisonment the term of which is not less than six months, whether or not any portion has been suspended, imposed without the option of a fine-

(i) in Zimbabwe, in respect of an offence; or

(ii) outside Zimbabwe, in respect of conduct which, if committed in

Zimbabwe, would have constituted an offence; or

(c) if he becomes disqualified in terms of paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of section twenty-one, or in terms of subsection (2) of that section, to hold office as a member; or

(d) if he is required in terms of subsection (2) or (3) to vacate his office as a member.

(2) The Minister may require a member of the Council to vacate his office if the member-

(a) has been guilty of conduct which renders him unsuitable to continue to hold office as a member; or

(b) has failed to comply with any condition of his office fixed in terms of section twenty-two; or

(c) has ceased to represent any organization, department, group or body or to possess any qualification by reason of which he was appointed; or

(d) is mentally or physically incapable of efficiently performing his duties as a member.

(3) The Minister, on the recommendation of the Council, may require a member of the Council to vacate his office if the Minister is satisfied that the member has been absent without the consent of the chairman of the Council from three consecutive meetings of the Council, of which he has been given at least seven days' notice, and that there was no just cause for the members absence.

24 Suspension of members of Council

The Minister shall suspend from office a member of the Council against whom criminal proceedings are instituted for an offence involving dishonesty and, whilst that member is so suspended, he shall not carry out any duties or be entitled to any remuneration or allowances as a member.

25 Filling of vacancies on Council

On the death of, or the vacation of office by, a member of the Council, the Minister may appoint a person to fill the vacancy:

Provided that, if the membership of the Council has fallen below the minimum number specified in section nineteen, the Minister shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy.

26 Chairman and vice-chairman of Council

(1) At its first meeting the Council shall elect from amongst its members a chairman and a vice-chairman, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Council.

(2) Whenever the office of chairman or vice-chairman of the Council falls vacant, the Council shall as soon as possible elect from amongst its members a person to fill the vacancy.

(3) The vice-chairman of the Council shall perform the functions of the chairman whenever the chairman is unable to do so. 27 Meetings and procedure of Council

(1) Subject to this Part, the Council shall meet for the dispatch of business and adjourn, close and otherwise regulate its meetings and procedures as it thinks fit.

(2) The chairman of the Council may himself at any time and shall, at the request in writing of not fewer than two members, convene a special meeting of the Council, which meeting shall be convened for a date not sooner than seven days or later than thirty days after receipt of such request.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) the chairman of the Council or, in his absence the vicechairman,, shall preside at meetings of the Council.

(4) If the chairman and the vice-chairman are both absent from a meeting of the Council, the members present may elect one of their number to preside at that meeting as chairman.

(5) A majority of members shall form a quorum at any meeting of the Council.

(6) All acts, matters or things authorized or required to be done by the Council may be decided by a majority vote at a meeting of the Council at which a quorum is present.

(7) At all meetings of the Council each member present shall have one vote on each question before the Council:

Provided that-

(i) in the event of an equality of votes, the chairman or person presiding shall have a casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote;

(ii) no member shall take part in the consideration or discussion of, or vote on, any question before the Council which relates to his re-appointment or vacation of office as a member.

(8) Any proposal circulated among all members of the Council and agreed to by a majority of them shall be of the same effect as a resolution passed at a duly constituted meeting of the Council and shall be incorporated in the minutes of the next succeeding meeting of the Council:

Provided that, if a member requires that any such proposal be placed before the Council, this subsection shall not apply to the proposal.

(9) With the approval of the Minister, the Council may co-opt any person to the Council, but a co-opted person shall have no vote in any decision by the Council.

28 Committees of Council

(1) For the better exercise of its functions, the Council, with the approval of the Minister, may establish one or more committees in which, with the consent of the Minister, it may vest such of its functions as it thinks fit:

Provided that the vesting of a function in a committee shall not prevent the Council from itself exercising that function, and the Council may amend or rescind any decision of the committee in the exercise of that function.

(2) On the establishment of a committee the Council-

(a) may appoint to the committee persons who are not members of the Council;

(b) shall appoint to the committee at least one member of the Council, who shall be the chairman of the committee.

(3) The chairman of the Council or of a committee may at any reasonable time and place convene a meeting of that committee.

(4) The procedure of each committee shall be as fixed from time to time by the Council.

(5) Subject to this section, subsections (4) to (8) of section twenty-seven shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to committees and members thereof as they apply to the Council and its members.

29 Minutes of proceedings of Council and committees

(1) The Council shall cause minutes of all proceedings of and decisions taken at any meeting of the Council or of a committee of the Council to be entered in books kept for the purpose.

(2) Any minutes referred to in subsection (1) which purport to be signed by the chairman of the meeting to which the minutes relate or by the chairman of the next following meeting of the Council or the committee concerned, as the case may be, shall be accepted for all purposes as prima facie proof of the proceedings of and decisions taken at that meeting.

30 Remuneration and allowances of members of Council and committees

A member of the Council or of a committee of the Council shall be paid out of the Fund-

(a) such remuneration, if any, as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, may fix for members of the Council or members of committees, as the case may be, generally; and

(b) such allowances, if any, as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, may fix to meet any reasonable expenses incurred by the member in connection with the business of the Council or the committee, as the case may be.

31 Guidance of professional bodies in respect of national manpower requirements

(1) Where the Council considers that the rules, regulations or criteria, by whatever name called, relating to admission to practise in any profession are too restrictive in relation to the manpower requirements of Zimbabwe, the Council may make recommendations in writing to the Minister and to any professional body concerned in regard to the alleviation of the restrictions, including recommendations for the admission to the profession of such additional class or classes of persons as the Council may consider necessary or desirable.

(2) In making any recommendations in terms of subsection (1) the Council shall take into account the professional competence, skills and qualifications which should be required for admission to practise in the profession concerned and the competence, skill or qualifications of the class or classes of persons it proposes should be admitted to practise or, as the case may be, should be admitted to engage in any limited form of practice in the profession concerned.

(3) Not later than two months after receiving any recommendations in terms of this section from the Council or the Minister, the professional body concerned shall submit to the Council, the Minister and the Minister responsible for the administration of the appropriate enactment, if any, a report on the matter indicating what measures it is prepared to take to give effect to the recommendations.

PART IV

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING AND SKILLED WORKER CERTIFICATION

32 Designation of trades and prescription of conditions of apprenticeship and skilled worker certification

(1) The Minister, after consultation with the Council, may by statutory instrument

declare any trade to be a designated trade if he considers that-

(a) the trade requires apprenticeship or skilled worker certification in terms of this Part; or

(b) the provisions of this Part should otherwise apply in relation to the trade, to such extent as the Minister may specify in the statutory instrument.

(2) Where the Minister has designated a trade as one that requires apprenticeship training, he may, in the same or a subsequent statutory instrument, prescribe- (a) the period of apprenticeship; and

(b) the qualifications and educational standards required for apprenticeship indenture; and

(c) examinations to be passed by apprentices; and

(d) the payment by employers of wages and other allowances to apprentices, and medical aid, insurance and pension contributions and similar payments in respect of apprentices; and

(e) the maximum number of apprentices to be employed by any employer in the designated trade; and

( f ) returns and other information to be supplied by employers of apprentices; and

(g) any other condition or requirement of apprenticeship whatsoever which the Minister considers necessary or expedient to prescribe.

(3) A statutory instrument in terms of this section may-

(a) provide that any conditions of apprenticeship specified therein shall come into operation on a date earlier than the date on which the statutory instrument is published:

Provided that the date of commencement of the conditions shall not be more than three months before the date of publication of the statutory instrument, nor earlier than the date on which the trade concerned was designated; (b) modify or amend existing contracts of apprenticeship.

33 Employment in designated trades

(1) Subject to subsection (2), where trade has been designated in terms of section thirty-two as one that requires apprenticeship training or skilled worker certification, no employer shall employ a person in that designated trade, and no person shall work in that designated trade, unless that person-

(a) is the holder of a certificate of apprenticeship or a certificate of skilled worker qualification in the designated trade; or

(b) is indentured in terms of this Act as an apprentice in the designated trade; or

(c) is undergoing a form of technical training approved in terms of this Act.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to-

(a) any person working in a designated trade as part of a requirement for practical training in any field of study or training; or

(b) any person who was working in the trade concerned-

(i) immediately before it was designated in terms of section thirty-two; or (ii) immediately before the 1st November, 1995.

34 Registration of persons as candidates for apprenticeship

(1) Any person who wishes to become an apprentice in a designated trade and who is-

(a) sixteen years of age or older; and

(b) subject to subsection (9) of section 9 of the Citizenship of Zimbabwe Act, [Chapter 4:01], a citizen of Zimbabwe;

may apply to the Secretary, in the prescribed form and manner, for registration as a candidate for apprenticeship.

(2) After receipt of an application in terms of subsection (1) the Secretary shall, as soon as possible-

(a) consider the application; and

(b) register or, as the case may be, refuse to register the applicant as a candidate for apprenticeship subject to the requirements prescribed for apprenticeship in the designated trade concerned.

(3) As soon as possible after taking any action or reaching any decision under paragraph (b) of subsection (2), the Secretary shall cause the applicant concerned to be notified of the action or decision and, in the case of a refusal to register an applicant, of the reasons for the refusal.

(4) Where the Minister is satisfied that it is in the national interest to do so, he may, by notice in the Gazette, exempt from the application of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) such persons who are not citizens of Zimbabwe as he may specify in the notice.

35 Registration of employers

(1) An employer who wishes to employ any person as an apprentice in a designated trade shall apply to the Secretary in the prescribed form and manner for registration, stating, in addition to any other information that may be prescribed or required by the Secretary, the number of apprentices he is prepared to employ during the period of twelve months following the date of his application.

(2) After receipt of an application in terms of subsection (1) the Secretary shall- (a) if he is satisfied that-

(i) the employer is a suitable person for registration; and

(ii) the training offered will be suitable for apprenticeship;

register the employer; or

(b) if he is not satisfied in regard to any matter specified in paragraph (a), refuse to register the employer:

Provided that the Secretary may register an employer with limited training facilities who is able to assign the apprentice to another employer for supplementary training.

(3) If the Secretary refuses to register an employer in terms of paragraph (b) of subsection (2), he shall cause the employer to be notified in writing of the refusal and of the reasons for the refusal.

(4) The registration of an employer shall remain valid for such period as may be prescribed.

(5) Subsection (1) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any application by an employer for the renewal of his registration.

36 Recruitment of apprentices by employers

(1) A registered employer may recruit as an apprentice any person who is registered as a candidate for apprenticeship.

(2) A person who is registered as a candidate for apprenticeship may be indentured to the Ministry but may at any time, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, be assigned to any registered employer for such practical training as the Secretary may consider appropriate.

(3) With effect from the date on which the trade concerned was designated- (a) no employer shall take any person into his employment as an apprentice in a designated trade unless that person has been registered as a candidate for apprenticeship;

(b) no apprentice in a designated trade shall leave the employment of one registered employer for another except with the written consent of the Secretary. 37 Register of apprentices, employers and contracts of apprenticeship

The Secretary shall keep and maintain a register in which shall be registered the particulars of-

(a) every person recruited in terms of section thirty-six; and

(b) every employer registered in terms of section thirty-five; and (c) the contract of apprenticeship between the person referred to in paragraph (a) and his registered employer;

and in which shall be noted such other matters as may be required by or in terms of this Act.

38 Contracts of apprenticeship

(1) No contract of apprenticeship in a designated trade shall be binding unless- (a) it is the prescribed form; and

(b) it has been signed-

(i) by the apprentice or, if he is a minor, by the apprentice assisted by his guardian; and

(ii) by or on behalf of the registered employer; and (iii) by the Secretary; and

(c) it has been registered.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall preclude a contract of apprenticeship from being treated as void or voidable if circumstances or grounds, apart from those referred to in subsection (1), exists which render it void or voidable, as the case may be.

(3) A contract of apprenticeship in a designated trade shall be lodged for registration by the employer and the Secretary shall, upon the registration of the contract, notify the employer and the apprentice of the registration in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

(4) A contract of apprenticeship shall not be registered in terms of subsection (3) unless it complies with paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) and with such other requirements as may be prescribed.

(5) The Secretary may order the cancellation of the registration of a contract of apprenticeship if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the apprentice is unlikely to fulfil the obligations of the contract or any bond relating thereto, because of the likelihood of his emigrating from Zimbabwe.

(6) If the Secretary cancels the registration of a contract of apprenticeship in terms of subsection (5), he shall cause the apprentice concerned to be notified in writing of the cancellation and of the reasons for the cancellation.

39 Credit for previous training or experience

The Secretary may, when registering a contract of apprenticeship, take account of, and grant the apprentice concerned credit for, any previous training or experience which the apprentice may have undergone or acquired in the trade to which the contract relates, but such credit shall not reduce the period of apprenticeship to a period that is less than one year.

40 Contract of apprenticeship not affected by lawful strike or lockout

Where an apprentice-

(a) is locked out or lawfully goes on strike; or

(b) because of a lawful strike or lockout affecting his employer's establishment or place of business, is unable to work for the duration of strike or lockout;

he and his employer shall not be deemed to have broken the contract of apprenticeship between them.

41 Extension of period of apprenticeship

(1) The Secretary may extend any period of apprenticeship if, in his opinion-

(a) there has been time lost by the apprentice for reasons, other than leave, which warrant such extension; or

(b) the additional time would afford the apprentice a useful opportunity to attain the requisite standard of proficiency in his trade:

Provided that, where the extension is granted on account of time lost by the apprentice, the period of the extension shall not exceed the time lost.

(2) The Secretary shall cause the terms of any extension in terms of subsection (1) to be endorsed on the contract of apprenticeship concerned, and shall send written notification thereof to every party to the contract.

42 Transfer, modification and rescission of contracts of apprenticeship

(1) With the consent of the Secretary and subject to any conditions that the Secretary may impose, any registered employer who is unable to train an apprentice in any aspect of the designated trade in which he is indentured may transfer the apprentice and his contract of apprenticeship to another registered employer who has the requisite facilities.

(2) A registered contract of apprenticeship may be rescinded by the Secretary-

(a) on the application of either party, if the Secretary is satisfied that it is proper or expedient to do so; or

(b) where the Secretary is satisfied that any of the terms of the contract cannot be fulfilled to the advantage of either party.

(3) A registered contract of apprenticeship may be modified by the Secretary on the application of either party, where the Secretary is satisfied that the modification will be beneficial to or enhance the performance of the contract.

(4) The Secretary may, in regard to any registered contract of apprenticeship, make such arrangements and take such steps, in addition to those referred to in subsection (1), (2) or (3), as he may consider necessary or advisable in the circumstances.

(5) Any consent by the Secretary to a transfer of a contract of apprenticeship, and any rescission or modification of a contract of apprenticeship made by the Secretary, shall be endorsed on the contract by the Secretary and noted in the register kept in terms of section thirty-seven.

43 Completion of contracts of apprenticeship

Not later than thirty days after the completion of any registered contract of apprenticeship, the employer shall complete and sign a certificate of completion on all available copies of the contract and lodge them with the Secretary, who shall- (a) note the completion on all the three copies of the contract and in the register kept in terms of section thirty-seven; and

(b) return the original contract to the apprentice and a copy to the registered employer and retain the third copy on the apprentice's file; and

(c) issue a certificate of apprenticeship to the apprentice-

(i) certifying that the apprentice has completed his contract of apprenticeship; and

(ii) showing details of any examinations which the apprentice has taken and the results thereof.

44 Certification of skilled workers

(1) The Secretary may, upon application, issue a certificate of skilled worker qualification to any person who-

(a) has completed a contract of apprenticeship in terms of this Act; or

(b) has completed any other form of apprenticeship or training recognized by the Secretary as being of a standard equivalent to apprenticeship in terms of this Act; or

(c) has, in the opinion of the Secretary, attained a standard of competence equivalent to that of skilled worker and, if so required by the Secretary, has passed a test determined by the Secretary.

(2) An application for certification in terms of this section shall be made in such form and manner and shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed.

(3) In granting recognition to any form of apprenticeship or training in terms of paragraph (b), or to any level of competence in terms of paragraph (c), of subsection (1) the Secretary shall take into consideration any advice given by the Council in terms of section nineteen.

(4) If the Secretary refuses to issue a certificate of skilled worker qualification to any applicant in terms of subsection (1), he shall cause the applicant to be notified in writing of the refusal and of the reasons for the refusal.

(5) Notwithstanding any other law, any person certified as a skilled worker in any designated trade in terms of this Act shall not be required to take any examination or test relating to his aptitude or skill in that trade for the purposes of any licence or permit required to be held or obtained by persons engaged in that trade. 45 Cancellation and suspension of certificates of skilled worker qualification (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Secretary may, by notice in the Gazette, cancel or suspend any certificate of skilled worker qualification issued in terms of this Act where the Secretary has reasonable grounds for believing that the competence of the holder has fallen below the standards represented by the certificate.

(2) Before cancelling or suspending any certificate in terms of subsection (1), the Secretary shall cause a notice to be served on the holder of the certificate, informing the holder that-

(a) he proposes to cancel or, as the case may be, to suspend the certificate

in terms of subsection (2) for reasons which he shall state; and

(b) the holder may within fourteen days after the service of the notice or within such longer period as the Secretary may allow, make representations to the Secretary against the proposed cancellation or suspension.

(3) If the Secretary is not satisfied by any representations made by the holder of the certificate or if the holder does not make any representation within the time referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (2), the Secretary may cancel or, as the case may be, suspend the certificate:

Provided that, when cancelling or suspending a certificate the Secretary may specify a course of remedial training upon the satisfactory completion of which the Secretary shall reinstate the certificate.

46 Appeals against decisions of Secretary

(1) If any person is aggrieved by any decision of the Secretary-

(a) refusing-

(i) to register him as a candidate for apprenticeship in terms of section thirty-four, or

(ii) to register him as an employer in terms of section thirty-five; or

(iii) to certify him as a skilled worker in terms of section forty-four; or

(b) cancelling the registration of a contract of apprenticeship ship in terms of subsection (5) of section thirty-eight; or

(c) cancelling or suspending his certificate of skilled worker qualification in terms of section forty-five;

he may, within thirty days after being notified of the decision, by notice in writing setting out his reasons, appeal to the Minister against the decision.

(2) On an appeal in terms of subsection (1), the Minister may confirm the Secretary's decision or make such other decision as, in his opinion, the Secretary should have made, and shall cause the appellant to be notified his decision and of the reasons for his decision.

(3) Any person who is dissatisfied with any decision of the Minister in terms of subsection (2) may, within thirty days after being notified of it, appeal to the High Court.

(4) On an appeal in terms of subsection (3) the High Court may confirm the decision of the Secretary which was the subject of the appeal to the Minister or may make such other decision as, in the Court's opinion the Secretary should have made in the matter.

(5) The noting of an appeal against a decision referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1) shall suspend the effect of the decision against which the appeal is made until the appeal is finally determined.

PART V

ZIMBABWE MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT FUND

47 Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund

(1) The Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund, established by section 23 of the Manpower Planning and Development Act, 1984 (No. 36 of 1984), shall continue in existence under this Act.

(2) Subject to this Act, the object for which the Fund is established shall be the development of skilled manpower in Zimbabwe.

(3) The Fund shall consist of-

(a) any moneys which, immediately before the 1st November, 1995, formed part of or were payable to the Fund; and

(b) any moneys raised by any levy; and

(c) any moneys that may be payable to the Fund from moneys appropriated by Act of Parliament for the purposes of the Fund; and (d) advances made to the Fund in terms of section forty-nine; and (e) any other moneys to which the Fund may be lawfully entitled, including-

(i) any moneys accruing from the sale of any articles in terms of section sixty-four; and

(ii) any moneys accruing from the enforcement of any financial obligations arising out of regulations made for a purpose referred to in paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section sixty-nine; and

(iii) fees payable for any examination conducted or held with moneys from the Fund; and

(iv) gifts and donations from any person.

(4) The Fund shall be vested in the Minister as trustee of the Fund and, subject to this Act, shall be administered by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Minister's directions, given on the advice of the Council.

(5) Directions in terms of subsection (4) shall include directions for-

(a) the preparation for-

(i) an annual capital budget for the approval of the Minister after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance; and

(ii) an annual revenue and recurrent expenditure budget for the approval of the Minister; and

(b) the submission of annual reports on the Fund, copies of which shall be submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

48 Application of Fund

(1) In this section-

"approved trainee" means a person undergoing such technical or vocational training as may be prescribed, and includes a student at university or university college.

(2) In order to give effect to the object of the Fund described in subsection (2) of section forty-seven, the Minister may, in his capacity as trustee of the Fund, do any or all of the following-

(a) employ such persons as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act;

(b) grant to his employees such leave or pay in lieu of leave as he thinks fit;

(c) suspend or dismiss his employees;

(d) pay to his employees such salary, wages or other remuneration as he may with the approval of the Minister responsible for finance;

(e) make his employees such gifts, bonuses or the like as he thinks fit; ( f ) provide for his employees or their dependants, by means of insurance with an insurance company or pension or provident fund or otherwise, pecuniary benefits upon leave, retirement, death or termination of service or in the event of sickness or injury;

(g) by grants of money, contribute towards the funds of any medical aid society, sick fund or similar institution for the benefit of his employees or their dependants, or contribute towards the establishment or maintenance of any such medical aid society, sick fund or similar institution;

(h) purchase, construct, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire, maintain, alter or repair, manage, work and control any movable or immovable property;

(i) sell, exchange, let, mortgage, dispose of, turn to account, develop, manage or otherwise deal with any property or rights acquired by him or any part thereof for such consideration as he thinks fit;

( j) insure with any person against any losses, damage, risks or liabilities which he may incur;

(k) pay bursaries, loans or advances to apprentices and other approved trainees for training purposes;

(l) pay the wages and allowances of apprentices and other approved trainees;

(m) pay the costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by apprentices and other approved trainees in connection with courses and examinations in terms of this Act;

(n) award prizes for success by apprentices and other approved trainees in any courses and examinations in terms of this Act;

(o) pay the costs or expenses incurred in conducting which examinations as may be specified by the Minister;

(p) make grants and rebates to such registered employers, teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions, and for the promotion of such manpower development programmes, as the Minister may specify;

(q) meet the expenses of promoting and mobilizing support for manpower development programmes including any congress referred to in paragraph (k) of subsection (3) of section nineteen;

(r) pay any other costs, charges or expenses of whatever kind involved in the establishment and maintenance of any scheme or purpose connected with teacher education, technical or vocational education, or manpower development;

(s) provide for the remuneration and allowances of members of the Council and its committees;

(t) reimburse the Consolidated Revenue Fund in respect of remuneration, allowances, pensions and benefits paid to members of the Public Service engaged in the administration of the Fund;

(u) pay any reasonable and necessary expenses arising from the maintenance of the Fund, including loans and advances made therefrom;

(v) pay any other cost, charge or expense which, in terms of this Act or any other enactment, is to be made from the Fund;

(w) invest and deal with the moneys of the Fund not immediately required upon such security and in any such manner as he may determine.

(3) Any expenditure incurred by the Minister on a purpose referred to in subsection

(2) shall be met from the Fund.

49 Advances to Fund

(1) The Minister responsible for finance may advance to the Fund, out of moneys appropriated for the purpose by Act of Parliament, moneys sufficient to meet any deficiency in the Fund.

(2) Advances in terms of subsection (1) shall be made on such terms and conditions, including terms and conditions relating to interest, as the Minister responsible for finance may determine.

50 Accounts and audit of Fund

(1) The Minister shall cause proper books of account of the Fund to be kept together with adequate financial and other records in relation thereto and, within three months after the end of the financial year to which the accounts relate, shall arrange for the submission of the accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor-General for audit.

(2) The Comptroller and Auditor-General shall, as soon as possible after he receives any accounts submitted to him in terms of subsection (1), audit the accounts and, in relation thereto, he shall have all the powers conferred upon him by the Audit and Exchequer Act [Chapter 22:03] in relation to the audit of public moneys.

51 Financial year of Fund

The financial year of the Fund shall be the period of twelve months ending on the 30th June in each year or on such other date as may be prescribed.

52 Holding of Fund

(1) All moneys received on behalf of the Fund shall be paid into a banking account and no money shall be withdrawn therefrom except by means of cheques signed by such persons as are authorized to do so by the Minister.

(2) Any part of the Fund not immediately required for the purposes of the Fund may be invested in such manner as the Minister may determine:

Provided that, where any moneys are invested for periods in excess of twenty-four months, the Minister shall obtain the approval of the Minister responsible for finance.

53 Imposition of levies (1) In this section

"wage-bill" includes-

(a) salaries and wages of all employees and agents; and

(b) cash in lieu of rations; and

(c) any bonuses paid in terms of a contract of service or for work performed; and

(d) the employer's pension and medical aid contributions; and

(e) cost of living, housing, holiday, education, climatic and other allowances of a similar nature; and

( f ) leave pay; and

(g) commissions; and

(h) the value of free food, free quarters, including rent paid on behalf of any employees, electricity, water and any other remuneration in kind; and

(i) directors' fees and all other pre-tax emoluments paid to directors; and ( j) any other remuneration or moneys that may be specified in a statutory instrument in terms of subsection (2).

(2) The Minister may, on the advice of the Council and with the approval of the Minister responsible for finance, by statutory instrument impose a levy on such employers as may be specified in the statutory instrument.

(3) A levy may be-

(a) a per capita amount on the employees, other than apprentices, of the employers concerned; or

(b) a sum equal to such percentage of the total wage-bill or such portion of the total wage-bill of the employers concerned; as may he specified in the statutory instrument imposing the levy.

(4) A statutory instrument imposing a levy in terms of subsection (2) may provide for-

(a) the manner in which and the time or times within which the levy is to be collected and paid;

(b) the imposition of interest and additionally, or alternatively, a surcharge if the levy is not paid within the specified time or times.

54 Payment, collection and recovery of levies

(1) Whenever a levy is imposed, every employer liable thereto shall, in accordance with the statutory instrument imposing the levy, pay to the Fund the amount due from him in the specified manner and at the specified time or times.

(2) No employer shall recover, in full or in part, directly or indirectly, the amount of any levy, or the amount of any interest or surcharge payable in connection with any levy, from the remuneration of any of his employees.

(3) The Chief Executive shall be responsible for the collection of any levy, together with any interest or surcharge in connection with any levy, on behalf of the Fund. (4) A levy, and any interest or surcharge connected therewith, shall be a debt to the Fund and any amount of levy or of such interest or surcharge that is unpaid or owing may be recovered by action in a court of competent jurisdiction at the suit of the Minister.

55 Amended levy assessments

(1) Subject to subsection (2), if the Chief Executive is satisfied that, in any financial year of the Fund, an employer-

(a) has paid less by way of a levy than he should have paid; or

(b) has been granted a refund to which he was not entitled in respect of any levy payment;

the amount so underpaid or the amount of the refund, as the case may be, shall be recovered from the employer.

(2) No amount shall be recovered from an employer in terms of subsection (1)-

(a) if the levy was assessed or the refund granted, as the case may be, in accordance with the practice generally prevailing at the time it was assessed or granted; or

(b) after the expiry of six years from the end of the financial year concerned.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), if the Chief Executive is satisfied that, in any financial year of the Fund, an employer-

(a) has paid more by way of a levy than he should have paid; or

(b) has not been granted a refund to which he was entitled in respect of any levy payment;

the amount of the overpayment or of the unpaid refund, as the case may be, shall be paid to the employer from the Fund.

(4) No amount shall be paid to an employer in terms of subsection (3)-

(a) if the levy was assessed or the refund unpaid, as the case may be, in accordance with the practice generally prevailing at the time it was assessed or unpaid, as the case may be, and the assessment or failure to pay was accepted by the employer; or

(b) after the expiry of six years from the end of the financial year concerned.

PART VI

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF FUND AND OTHER EMPLOYEES

56 Appointment and remuneration of Chief Executive of Fund

(1) From amongst the persons employed in terms of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section forty-eight the Minister shall appoint, on such terms and conditions as he may fix, a person to be the Chief Executive of the Fund.

(2) No person shall be appointed as Chief Executive and no person shall be qualified to hold office as Chief Executive if he is not a citizen of Zimbabwe or ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe.

(3) The appointment of the Chief Executive shall terminate if he would be required in terms of paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of section twenty-three to vacate his office had that section and paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subsection (1) of section twenty-one, applied to him.

57 Functions of Chief Executive and other employees

(1) Subject to this Act the Chief Executive shall perform such of the Minister's functions specified in subsection (2) of section forty-eight as the Minister may delegate to him.

(2) With the consent of the Minister, the Chief Executive may delegate any function which is vested in him under this Act to any other person employed in terms of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section forty-eight and, subject to subsection (4), the employee concerned may perform the function as if he were the Chief Executive (3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall prevent the Chief Executive from withdrawing any delegation in terms of that subsection or from amending any condition thereof, or from himself exercising any function so delegated.

(4) The employees referred to in subsection (2) shall perform their functions under this Act in accordance with such directions as the Chief Executive may give them.

PART VII

MANPOWER RESEARCH AND PLANNING

58 Manpower surveys and plans

(1) The Minister may publish a notice in the Gazette directing that, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notice or prescribed in regulations made under section sixty-nine-

(a) a manpower survey be conducted into such matters, and on such date or during such period, as he shall specify in the notice; and additionally, or alternatively;

(b) such statistical information be collected, compiled, analysed or abstracted as relates to or may facilitate the making of any manpower plan.

(2) A manpower survey referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) may be conducted into any one or more of the following- (a) the manpower resources of Zimbabwe;

(b) the types of establishment in which manpower resources are utilized;

(c) the capital investment and output of any establishment;

(d) the training facilities of any establishment;

(e) the earnings of employers and employees;

( f ) actual and potential sources of manpower resources;

(g) the level of reliance on expatriate manpower resources in any establishment or in any profession, designated trade or occupation;

(h) any other matter relating to manpower resources or manpower planning or research which the Minister may specify in the notice published in terms of subsection (1).

(3) Subject to the directions of the Minister, the Secretary shall be responsible for- (a) conducting any manpower survey referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and for reporting thereon to the Minister; and

(b) organizing the collection, compilation, analysis and abstraction of any information referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and the preparation of any resulting manpower plan.

59 Power to obtain information

(1) For the purposes of any manpower survey or manpower plan referred to in subsection (1) of section fifty-eight, the Secretary or any person authorized by him may require any person who has information relevant to the survey or plan, or who is believed on reasonable grounds to have such information, to provide him with any such information.

(2) The Secretary may require a person to provide the information referred to in subsection (1)-

(a) by interviewing the person; or

(b) by leaving at the person's last known address a form with a notice requiring the form to be completed and returned in such manner and within such time as may be specified in the notice; or

(c) in such other manner as may be prescribed.

(3) Any person who is required to provide information in terms of subsection (1) shall forthwith comply with the requirement.

(4) The Secretary, or any person authorized by him to require the provision of information under section (1), shall produce evidence of his identity if required to do so by any person whom he wishes to interview in terms of paragraph (a) of subsection (2).

PART VIII

GENERAL

60 Powers to enter and inspect and obtain information

(1) Subject to subsection (7), the Secretary, or any person authorized by him in writing, may at all reasonable times enter and inspect any registered teachers college, technical or vocational institution or any hostel or premises at or attached thereto, for the purpose of-

(a) examining buildings, grounds and equipment in order to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act are being complied with or whether the registration of the college or institution should be cancelled or amended; or

(b) inquiring into the conduct, discipline and progress of students attending the college or institution, and the standard of teaching and qualifications of lecturers at the college or institution; or

(c) inspecting any accounts or records required to be kept at or in respect of the college or institution; or

(d) inquiring into the application of any fee, grant or other moneys paid to or received by the college or institution, whether in terms of this Act or any other law. (2) Subject to subsection (7), the Secretary, or any person authorized by him in writing, may at all reasonable times enter and inspect any premises in respect of which there are reasonable grounds for believing that any education or training is being conducted which requires registration in terms of this Act.

(3) Subject to subsection (7), the Secretary, or any person authorized by him in writing, may at all reasonable times-

(a) enter any premises in which a former student such as is referred to in subsection (1) of section fifteen is believed on reasonable grounds to be employed;

(b) require any person upon the premises-

(i) to disclose all information at his disposal; and

(ii) to produce any book, payroll, statement or record or copy thereof or extract therefrom;

that may relate in any way to the employment, remuneration and conditions of employment of any such former student;

(c) make copies of or take extracts from any book, payroll, statement or record referred to in paragraph (b).

(4) Subject to subsection (7), the Secretary, or any person authorized by him in writing, may at all reasonable times-

(a) enter and inspect the premises of any registered employer or of any person, other than a registered employer, who is believed on reasonable grounds to be employing any other person as an apprentice or to be providing apprenticeship training to any other person;

(b) require any registered employer or other person referred to in paragraph (a)-

(i) to disclose all information at his disposal; and

(ii) to produce any book, payroll, statement or record or copy thereof or extract therefrom;

that may relate in any way to the remuneration and conditions of employment of any apprentice or trainee skilled worker or approved trainee; (c) make copies of or take extracts from any book, payroll, statement or record referred to in paragraph (b).

(5) Subject to subsection (7), the Secretary, or any person authorized by him in writing, may at all reasonable times-

(a) require an employer upon whom a levy has been imposed or who is believed on reasonable grounds to be liable to pay a levy- (i) to disclose all information at his disposal; and

(ii) to produce any book, payroll, financial statement, balance sheet or record or copy thereof or extract therefrom;

that may relate in any way to the payment of the levy or to his liability to pay the levy;

(b) make copies of or take extracts from any book, payroll, financial statement, balance sheet or record referred to in paragraph (a).

(6) Subject to subsection (7), the Secretary, or any person authorized by him in writing, may, at all reasonable times and for any purpose reasonably connected with any manpower survey or manpower plan referred to in section fifty-eight- (a) enter and inspect any premises;

(b) make any inquiries;

(c) require any person on any premises-

(i) to disclose any information at his disposal; and

(ii) to produce any book, payroll, statement or record or copy thereof or extract therefrom;

(d) make copies of or take extracts from any book, payroll, statement or record referred to in paragraph (c).

(7) The powers of entry and inspection conferred by this section shall not be exercised except with the consent of the owner or person in charge of the premises concerned, or where there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary to exercise them-

(a) for the prevention, investigation or detection of an offence, whether in terms of this Act or any other law, or for the obtaining of evidence relating to such an offence; or

(b) for the enforcement of any levy; or

(c) for the purpose of protecting the rights of any person undergoing or entitled to any education or training to which this Act applies.

61 Information to be kept confidential

The Secretary and any other person who obtains information in terms of section fiftynine or sixty shall take all steps necessary to ensure that it is kept confidential and is not disclosed to any other person except-

(a) for the purpose of enforcing this Act; or

(b) for the investigation or prosecution of an offence; or

(c) for the enforcement of any levy; or

(d) for the purposes of any manpower survey or manpower plan; or (e) in such other circumstances as may be prescribed.

62 Delegation of functions by Secretary

(1) Subject to such conditions as he may fix, the Secretary may delegate any of his functions in terms of this Act to any person employed in the Ministry or in terms of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section forty-eight, and any person to whom a function is so delegated may exercise the function, subject to any conditions so fixed, as if he were the Secretary.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall prevent the Secretary at any time from withdrawing any delegation in terms of subsection (1) or from amending any condition thereof, or from himself exercising any function so delegated.

(3) This section shall not be construed as limiting any power which the Secretary or any other person may have under any other law to delegate any function conferred or imposed upon him in terms of this Act.

63 Establishment and administration of Government scholarship schemes

(1) The Minister may establish and maintain, out of moneys appropriated for the purpose by Act of Parliament or otherwise placed at his disposal by the State, such scholarship schemes as he may consider necessary or desirable for the purposes of manpower development.

(2) Any scholarship scheme established in terms of subsection (1)-

(a) shall be administered in accordance with the directions of the Minister; and

(b) shall be assessed and reviewed from time to time against national manpower development policy; and

(c) may provide for the bonding to the State, under such conditions as may be prescribed, of any person who receives any scholarship under the scheme.

64 Sale of products of practical training

Upon the sale of any articles produced by persons, either in the course of attendance at any Government teachers college or Government technical or vocational institution or for the purpose of any examination in terms of this Act, the proceeds of the sale shall be paid into the Fund if the materials from which such articles are produced were provided out of the Fund.

65 Recognition of associations of lecturers

(1) The Minister may recognize one or more associations of lecturers as representing lecturers or any class of lecturers in Zimbabwe.

(2) An association of lecturers recognized by the Minister in terms of subsection (1) may advise and make representations to the Secretary and may be consulted by the Minister on any matters appertaining to manpower development in Zimbabwe to which this Act applies. 66 Offences and penalties

(1) Any person who-

(a) conducts, maintains or manages a non-Government teachers college or a non-Government technical or vocational institution in contravention of section eight or continues to operate such an institution after the cancellation of its registration; or (b) gives any training in a designated trade in contravention of section eighteen; or

(c) being an employer who has engaged a former student referred to in subsection (1) of section fifteen-

(a) fails to notify the Secretary of the engagement in terms of that subsection; or

(b) fails to comply with a direction under subsection (2) of that section to make a deduction from the remuneration of that person; or

(d) employs any person as an apprentice in contravention of subsection

(3) of section thirty-six; or

(e) induces any apprentice to leave the employment of any registered employer without the consent of the Secretary; or

( f ) fails or refuses to pay the amount of any levy due by him and any interest or surcharge payable in connection with such levy, within the time or times specified in the statutory instrument imposing the levy, interest or surcharge, as the case may be; or

(g) recovers, in full or in part, directly or indirectly, the amount of any levy, or any interest or surcharge connected with any levy, from the remuneration of any of his employees; or

(h) fails or refuses to provide any information when required to do so in terms of section fifty-nine; or

(i) obstructs, hinders or resists any person in the performance of any function in terms of section sixty; or

( j) when requested or required to provide or disclose any information in terms of this Act, makes a false statement which he knows to be false or has no reason to believe is true;

shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding four thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

(2) A conviction for an offence in terms of subsection (1) shall not, in the case of a continuing offence, be a bar to further prosecution for that offence.

(3) On the conviction of a person for an offence in terms of subsection (1) involving failure or refusal to pay the amount of any levy, the court convicting him may, on the application of the prosecutor and in addition to any penalty it may impose, give summary judgment against the convicted person in favour of the Minister, in his capacity as trustee of the Fund, for the unpaid amount of the levy, including any interest and any surcharge to which the convicted person may be liable under a statutory instrument published in terms of section fifty-three.

(4) A judgment given by a court in terms of subsection (3) shall have the same effect and may be executed by the Minister in the same manner as if the judgment had been given in a civil action instituted in the court.

67 Certificates as evidence

In any criminal proceeding relating to an offence under this Act, a certificate purporting to be signed by any person and purporting to state facts obtained from records which are required to be in his custody or are known to him in his official capacity shall on its production by the prosecutor, be admissible as prima facie proof of the facts stated therein.

68 Presumption re conduct of institution

Any person who, in any premises or place, provides any teacher education or any technical or vocational education shall be deemed, unless the contrary is proved, to be conducting a teachers college or a technical or vocational institution, as the case may be, in those premises or that place, as the case may be.

69 Regulations

(1) The Minister may make regulations prescribing anything which in terms of this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or which, in his opinion, is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for giving effect to this Act.

(2) Regulations in terms of subsection (1) may provide for any of the following matters-

(a) in relation to Government teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions-

(i) the enrolment of students, their attendance at such colleges and institutions and their accommodation in hostels;

(ii) the discipline of students attending such colleges and institutions and the punishments that may be imposed for infractions of discipline, including the imposition of monetary penalties;

(iii) the establishment, functions and procedures of advisory councils and the payment of allowances to members of such councils;

(iv) the establishment and maintenance of amenities funds and the fees that shall be paid thereto and payments that may be made therefrom;

(v) the establishment and operation of staff development programmes; (b) in relation to non-Government teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions-

(i) the establishment, staffing, equipment and maintenance of such colleges and institutions;

(ii) the standards for admission of students to such colleges and institutions;

(iii) the control and regulation of fees and other charges that may be levied or made at such colleges and institutions;

(iv) the courses and examinations that may be conducted at such colleges and institutions;

(c) the functions of responsible authorities of teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions;

(d) the health of students at teachers colleges, technical or vocational institutions and hostels connected therewith, including-

(i) the entry and inspection of such colleges, institutions and hostels by Government medical officers or medical practitioners authorized thereto by the Secretary;

(ii) the closing of any such college, institution or hostel on the grounds of health;

(iii) the exclusion from any such college, institution or hostel of any person who-

A. is suffering or has recently suffered from, or has been in contact with a person suffering from, any communicable disease; or

B. is verminous;

(iv) requiring certificates or reports to be furnished as to whether or not any student is suffering from, or has been in contact with a person suffering from, any communicable or infectious disease;

(v) the examination of any student by a psychiatrist or by an educational psychologist;

(vi) the medical or dental treatment of students, the supply of medicines and dental and surgical appliances to them and the performance of X-ray and other examinations upon them, and the fees payable therefor;

(vii) minimum standards to be observed in regard to dietary and hygienic conditions;

(e) any other matter that is likely to promote good order and administration and the proper regulation of teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions;

( f ) the payment of grants and any other moneys out of the Fund;

(g) requiring persons who have attended any teachers college or technical or vocational institution or who have undergone any apprenticeship training to undertake any specified employment in Zimbabwe for a specified period, and providing monetary and other penalties for persons who fail to undertake such employment;

(h) the approval of apprenticeship training programmes established by employers;

(i) the making, registration, transfer, modification, rescission and completion of contracts of apprenticeship, the terms and conditions of such contracts and the rights and duties of the parties thereto;

( j) the form of certificates and other documents issued or required in terms of this Act;

(k) fees and charges for examinations conducted, certificates issued and other things made or done in terms of this Act;

(l) any other thing which, in the opinion of the Minister will promote teacher education, technical or vocational education or the development of manpower in Zimbabwe.

(3) Regulations may provide penalties for contraventions thereof, but no such penalty shall exceed a fine of one thousand dollars.

70 Savings and transitional provisions

(1) In this section-

"Education Act" means the Education Act [Chapter 25:04];

"repealed Act" means the Manpower Planning and Development Act, 1984 (No. 36 of 1984).

(2) Notwithstanding sections seventy and seventy-one-

(a) any Government teachers colleges which, immediately before the 1st November, 1995, was established under the Education Act shall be deemed to have been established under this Act;

(b) any non-Government teachers college which, immediately before the 1st November, 1995, was registered under the Education Act shall be deemed to have been registered under this Act;

(c) any proceedings which were commenced before the 1st November, 1995, in relation to the registration of any non-Government teachers college under the Education Act and which are pending on the 1st November, 1995, shall be deemed to have been commenced under this Act and may be continued accordingly;

(d) any general purpose fund or teachers amenities fund that was in existence under the Education Act in respect of a Government teachers college shall continue to exist under this Act;

(e) any regulations made or deemed to have been made under the Education Act in respect of any non-Government teachers college shall be deemed to have been made under this Act;

( f ) any Government vocational or technical institution which, immediately before the 1st November, 1995, was established or deemed to have been established under the repealed Act shall be deemed to have been established as a technical or vocational institution under this Act;

(g) any private vocational or technical training institution which, immediately before the 1st November, 1995, was registered under the repealed Act

shall be deemed to have been registered under this Act as a non-Government technical or vocational institution;

(h) any proceedings which were commenced before the 1st November, 1995, in relation to the registration of any private vocational or technical institution under the repealed Act and which are pending on that date shall be deemed to have been commenced under this Act in relation to the registration of the institution concerned as a non-Government technical or vocational institution, and may be continued accordingly;

(i) any person who, immediately before the 1st November, 1995, was a member of the National Manpower Advisory Council established by the repealed Act shall be deemed to have been appointed to the Council under this Act for the remainder of the period of his appointment under the repealed Act;

( j) any contract of apprenticeship which, immediately before the 1 st November, 1995, was registered or deemed to have been registered under the repealed Act shall be deemed to have been registered under this Act;

(k) any certificate of journeyman status which was issued under the Apprenticeship Training and Skilled Manpower Development Act [Chapter 266 of 1974] shall be deemed to be a certificate of skilled worker qualification issued under this Act;

(l) any certificate, licence or other document that was issued, or statutory instrument that was made or any other thing that was made, done or commenced under the repealed Act and which, immediately before the 1st November, 1995, had or was capable of acquiring force or effect shall be deemed to have been issued, made, done or commenced, as the case may be, under the appropriate provision of this Act, and shall have or acquire force or effect accordingly.

(3) The Minister shall endeavour to employ in terms of paragraph (a) of subsection

(2) of section forty-eight as many of the members of the Public Service who, on the

1st November, 1995, are attached to-

(a) the Fund; and

(b) the secretariat of the National Manpower Advisory Council; and

(c) the Management Training Bureau of the Ministry of Higher

Education; as is possible without prejudicing the efficiency and economic viability of the Fund:

Provided that every such person shall be engaged for employment on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to him immediately before his engagement, and his service with the State shall be deemed to form part of and be continuous with his service with the Fund subsequent to his engagement. 71 Additional savings and recalculation of certain levies

(1) In this section-

"omitted matter" means any item or matter that is included in the definition of "wagebill" in subsection (1) of section fifty-three but which was omitted from the definition of that term in section 2 of the Vocational Education and Training (Levy) Notice, 1982, published in Statutory Instrument 802 of 1982.

(2) It is declared, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Vocational Education and Training (Levy) Notice, 1982 , published in Statutory Instrument 802 of 1982, was saved in force by paragraph (l) of subsection (1) of section seventy and accordingly, subject to subsection (4), the notice remained in operation from the 1st November, 1995, until its repeal on the 12th March, 1999.

(3) Any employer entitled to claim a refund on the ground that, between the 1 st November, 1995, and the 12th March, 1999, the levy paid by such employer was assessed on the basis that any terminal benefit paid by him to an employee formed part of his wage-bill shall, in lieu of a refund, be entitled to set off the amount so paid in excess against any amount of levy due from him after the commencement of this Act.

(4) If any levy paid by any employer in respect of the period from the 1st November, 1995, to the 12th March, 1999, was less than the amount he would have been required to pay had any omitted matter been included in the definition of "wage-bill" in section 2 of the Vocational Education and Training (Levy) Notice, 1982, published in Statutory Instrument 802 of 1982, the employer concerned shall pay the difference to the Fund within six months after the date of commencement of the Manpower Planning and Development Amendment Act, 2001.

(5) Any amount payable in terms of subsection (4) shall be regarded as a levy and shall be collected and may be sued for and recovered accordingly.

[new Section 71 inserted by Act 1/2001 with effect from the 13th April, 2001.]