A group of 18 local and regional civil society organisations (CSOs) has petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa over what they termed ‘judicial capture’ and pervasion of justice in Zimbabwe.
Development Diaries reports that the CSOs accused the judiciary of weaponising the law against government critics, citing the persecution of several opposition politicians and pro-democracy activists as examples.
The group of CSOs includes Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA), Zimbabwe); Zimbabwe Organisation For Youth In Politics (ZOYP), (Zimbabwe); Voice of Justice, Zimbabwe; NamRights Inc, Namibia; and Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, South Africa).
Others are the Restoration of Human Rights, United Kingdom); Zimbabwe Diaspora for Democracy, United States; Political Prisoners in Africa; The Botswana Centre for Human Rights, Botswana); Mozambique Human Rights Defenders Network, Mozambique; Centre for Democracy and Development, Mozambique; Civic Space Network; and Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network.
‘We, the undersigned CSOs, herein register our deep concerns against a growing trend of judicial persecution and the abuse of the legal system (lawfare) by Zimbabwean authorities to close the civic space and target human rights defenders (HRDs) and pro-democracy activists’, the petition read.
The CSOs noted that the ongoing detention of Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala, and the refusal to grant him bail since June of 2022 exposed the weaponisation of the law against opposition figures.
It is understood that Sikhala has been in pre-trial detention since June last year, charged with incitement to violence at the funeral of slain opposition activist, Moreblessing Ali.
The CSOs called for the apprehension and prosecution of anyone in the executive and the judiciary that may be unduly influencing the courts and violating the principle of separation of powers in Sikhala’s case.
The petition also highlighted a number of other activists who are faced with various charges.
‘Recently, Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for inciting public violence. He has, however, appealed both conviction and sentence, and judgment was reserved early this week’, the petition read.
‘Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokeperson Fadzayi Mahere escaped a custodial sentence with a U.S.$500 fine for tweeting falsehoods against the police’.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Zimbabwe’s human rights situation continues to decline under Mnangagwa’s presidency.
Photo source: President of Zimbabwe