Zimbabwe’s judiciary system has become the latest centre of
politicking and point-scoring between ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) formation as the country gears up for general elections. ZANU-PF
is concerned that one of Zimbabwe’s top judges was passing unfavourable
judgements against the party and thus undermining its bid to get into pole
position for the elections this year. This perception has grown out of Justice
Charles Hungwe’s decision to grant bail last month to human rights lawyer,
Beatrice Mtetwa, ending her week-long stint in prison. Now Hungwe’s career is
under threat as the party, and the media loyal to it, have begun to target the
judge with a vitriolic campaign.
The MDC is now considering what action to take to enforce
the judiciary’s independence. With ZANU-PF’s open defiance of court directives
with a state apparatus, it seems the MDC have been armed with evidence to
present to the Southern African Development Community as proof of the country’s
lack of preparedness to stage free and fair elections.
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