You are invited to the Doctoral Defence of Mr Isaiah Munyoro that will take place on Tuesday 27 January 2015 at 11:00 in IT 4-58.

ABSTRACT

An evaluation of the performance of Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Constituency Information Centres (PCICs), and their future improvement.

The Parliament of Zimbabwe Reforms in 1997 included a recommendation to reform the information services. This led to the establishment of Parliamentary Constituency Information Centres (PCICs) during the life of the Fifth Parliament (2000 to 2005). PCICs were established to provide public access to parliamentary information, and as a platform for public participation. This study evaluates the performance of PCICs in providing access by constituents to parliamentary information. A literature review focused on declarations, laws and theories regarding information rights and needs. Methods used to collect data included questionnaires, interviews, observations, and an analysis of official documents. Data indicated that although constituents are generally satisfied with the information that PCICs provide, there are concerns about information formats, currency, location and administration of PCICs, poor infrastructure, lack of capacity building, and political partisanship. A critique of PCIC performance led to the development of an appropriate model for the future improvement of PCICs in Zimbabwe.