Data code: ZI
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Harare
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with
provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland
Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo (Victoria),
Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands
Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980)
Constitution: 21 December 1979
Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Executive President Robert
Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987) was nominated by the House
of Assembly (if more than one nomination, electoral college of
members of the House of Assembly elect the president); election last
held 26-27 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2002); results -
Robert MUGABE 92.7%, Abel MUZOREWA 4.8%; Ndabaningi SITHOLE 2.4%;
Co-Vice President Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987);
Co-Vice President Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990) was
appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president; responsible to
Parliament