HARARE,
(CAJ News) – THE deadlock between the government and civil society organisations over the holding of by-elections in Zimbabwe remains unresolved and is playing out in the courts.
By-elections have been postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak early last year.
The High Court Justice Siyabona Musithu earlier this week quizzed lawyers representing President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Health and Child Care Minister, Constantino Chiwenga, and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for their alleged bureaucratic stance in not lifting the suspension of by-elections.
This is despite the government easing the lockdown.
Chiwenga, then in his capacity as the acting president, announced the ban, which was challenged in the High Court.
Do citizen protests matter?
A sustained combination of internal and external pressure is required to create a genuine civilian government in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga (C) and colleague Julie Barnes hold placards as they are arrested during an anti-corruption protest march on July 31, 2020 in Harare. Police were enforcing a ban on protests coinciding with the anniversary of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s election. PHOTO: ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP
Ahead of planned mass protests on July 31, Zimbabwe’s state security apparatus cracked down on citizens. Largely initiated via social media, the calls for the protests galvanised popular sentiment and mobilised citizens to exercise a co-ordinated political voice against corruption, the failing economy and repression.
Critics are accusing Zimbabweâs ruling party of seeking to undermine the judiciary after lawmakers late Tuesday approved constitutional amendments so the president can hand pick top judges.
The amendments, which await President Emmerson Mnangagwaâs signature to become law, allow him to choose judges for the Constitutional, Supreme and High Courts without the approval of legislators.
Long-time ruler Robert Mugabe had similar powers for years until they were stripped away in the constitution that was passed in 2013.
Dewaâ¯Mavhinga, head of Human Rights Watch in southern Africa, urged rights organizations in Zimbabwe to challenge the law in court or hold protests.