In a recent unsettling development, the forthcoming general elections in Zimbabwe scheduled for 23 August have plunged into a concerning quagmire. The dismissal of 12 opposition parliamentary candidates in Bulawayo along with independent presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere has raised many an eyebrow. This action, seen as a manoeuvre by the increasingly politicised courts, shines a harsh spotlight on the dwindling democratic ethos under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime and his party, Zanu PF. This blatant interference in the electoral process underscores a menacing pinnacle in Zimbabwe’s voyage towards a partisan politicisation of its judiciary, threatening to cement Zanu PF’s dominion further.
As someone who has navigated through the fair judicial corridors of the United Kingdom and emerged reformed, the stark contrast in the judicial landscapes of these two nations is alarming. The foundational principles of democracy in Zimbabwe are being shaken to the core as the blatant manipulation of electoral integrity unfolds before our eyes.
Since its inception in 1980, Zanu PF has demonstrated a masterful play of persuasion and coercion to clutch onto power. The transition from the long reign of Robert Mugabe to Mnangagwa’s leadership in 2017, via a military coup, barely assuaged fears of authoritarian continuity. The recent disqualification of opposition figures has unveiled a sinister facet – the exploitation of the judiciary to propel the ruling party’s political narrative.
The extension of Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s tenure by President Mnangagwa in 2021, amid a cloud of constitutional alterations, only fuels the prevailing trepidation. This act epitomises the melding of judicial power with Zanu PF’s survival tactics, fostering a juristocracy that threatens to entrench authoritarianism further.
The fragile democratic aspirations of Zimbabwe now dangle precariously, as the nation skirts the edge of a burgeoning crisis. The optimism once held by the international community for democratic advancement in Zimbabwe seems to be dissipating. A glance at the 43-year-long dance with Zanu PF’s governance reveals a choreographed manipulation extending beyond the ballot box.
It’s a clarion call for the international community and regional allies to unite in addressing this disconcerting trajectory. Sanctions, diplomatic engagements, and precise interventions may play a crucial role in nudging Zimbabwe back onto the democratic pathway. The populace of Zimbabwe yearns for a destiny that cherishes their fundamental rights and upholds the essence of just and free elections.
The orchestrated disqualification saga in Bulawayo exposes Zimbabwe’s grim march towards partisan judicialisation and intensified autocracy. As the judiciary morphs into an instrument for power consolidation, the stranglehold of President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF on the political arena tightens. Amidst these unprecedented challenges to democratic institutions, it’s incumbent upon the global fraternity to rally in ensuring Zimbabwe veers back onto the route of genuine democracy and justice.
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