Zimbabwe Opposition Accuses Government of Trying to Undermine Judiciary
May 07, 2021
Members of parliament voting in Harare on May 04, 2021, to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to had pick his two vice presidents and to hand pick court judges (VOA/Columbus Mavhunga)
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Critics are accusing Zimbabwe s 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 Mnangagwa’s 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.
VOA
ZIMBABWEAN opposition and rights groups have held an online protest against proposed constitutional amendments that would allow the president to handpick top judges. Thousands of people viewed the Thursday night rally, which was streamed online to avoid arrests amid a coronavirus lockdown and ban on public gatherings.
Stanley Gwanzura – better known as Pastor G, a Zimbabwean gospel musician – sang “It Shall Be Well” as the opposition and rights groups started the online “rally” Thursday evening.
Jestina Mukoko, a director of a rights NGO named the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was one of the organizers of the #ResistDictatorshipConstitution rally.
“Should we just allow a few people to amend the constitution? As Zimbabweans, should we allow ourselves to be short-changed? It removes the tenets that we want to aspire to get to as Zimbabweans: democracy, transparency, and accountability. If these amendments are allowed to take root, it means what we will have at the end
Zimbabwe Rights Groups, Opposition Stage Online Protest Against Constitutional Amendments
May 07, 2021
FILE - Jestina Mukoko, a director of rights group Zimbabwe Peace Project, is one of the organizers of the #ResistDictatorshipConstitution online rally, pictured in Harare, Dec. 2020. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA)
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Zimbabwean opposition and rights groups have held an online protest against proposed constitutional amendments that would allow the president to handpick top judges. Thousands of people viewed the Thursday night rally, which was streamed online to avoid arrests amid a coronavirus lockdown and ban on public gatherings.
Stanley Gwanzura – better known as Pastor G, a Zimbabwean gospel musician – sang “It Shall Be Well” as the opposition and rights groups started the online “rally” Thursday evening.
May 6, 2021 Share
Critics are accusing Zimbabwe’s 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 Mnangagwa’s 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.
Dewa Mavhinga, head of Human Rights Watch in southern Africa, urged rights organizations in Zimbabwe to challenge the law in court or hold protests.
David Anodiwanashe is a researcher and scholar of political science and international development studies.
It has gradually become apparent that Zimbabwe’s governing party, Zanu PF, is perpetually endangering democratic processes by not only weakening, but also dismantling the opposition movement ahead of Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections.
Freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono disembarks from a prisons truck as he arrives in handcuffs and leg irons at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on 6 November 2020. Chin’ono was arrested three days earlier over allegations of contempt of court, according to the police. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Aaron Ufumeli)
Its constant and alarming actions recalling members of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC Alliance) from parliament; the passing of the Constitutional Amendment Bill (Number 2); and the abductions, wanton arrests and torture of journalists such as Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition politicians such as Joana Mamombe