Constitutional Interpretation of Presidential Statutory Powers in Zimbabwe.

In addition to the defined constitutional powers, the Zimbabwean President possesses extensive legislative powers bestowed by various Acts of Parliament. The President has the power to make Regulations to deal with an urgent situation under the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act. The constitutionality of the Act is questionable as it grants the President primary law-making power which is a function of Parliament. The article carefully analyses the methods of constitutional interpretation that have been adopted by the Zimbabwean Courts in cases dealing with the constitutionality of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act. When exercising their power to review the constitutionality of the Act, the Zimbabwean Courts have relied on textualism and grammatical interpretation of the Constitution. The article argues that in such cases, the judiciary ought to adopt other interpretative methods which include structuralism, and teleological and historical interpretation. The article illustrates the importance of constitutional interpretation by the courts in cases concerning presidential statutory powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]