via Judge Bhunu under fire for call to arrest Tsvangirai’s lawyers | SW Radio Africa by Tichaona Sibanda
High court Judge Chinembiri Bhunu’s stinging rebuke of lawyers representing the outgoing Prime Minister, and a call for their arrest, is a dangerous decision. Exiled human rights lawyer, Gabriel Shumba, said it may also worsen human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to SW Radio Africa from Johannesburg, Shumba said Bhunu’s remarks are a troubling legal throwback. He added that the judge’s comments reinforce the often repeated statements that the judiciary is compromised and failing to protect constitutional and human rights.
‘Rather than assuaging the political tension, the courts have corroded the rule of law and worsened tensions. Rather than constraining militarisation and protecting minority rights, some judges have entrenched favoured allies and punished their foes,’ Shumba said.
Tsvangirai’s lawyers face prosecution for contempt of court, following statements made by the outgoing Prime Minister in his Electoral Court application, questioning the integrity of the judiciary. The lawyers representing Tsvangirai are Lewis Uriri, Alec Muchadehama and Tarisai Mutangi. Bhunu said that the statements brought the court’s integrity into disrepute.
The MDC-T last week filed a Constitutional Court application, seeking to nullify the election result, but later withdrew the petition citing the politicized bench.
The MDC-T issued a statement Wednesday criticizing attempts to arrest the Premier’s lawyers, describing the move as unfortunate and seriously putting to question the credibility and impartiality of the judiciary system.
The judiciary, said Shumba, should learn to tolerate ‘sharp criticism’ and be able to put up with it, correct mistakes if it has committed them and avoid them if it has not.
‘His comments and suggestions that Tsvangirai’s lawyers be arrested will be construed as pandering to wishes and whims of another party to the detriment of another.
‘The only reason they’re not mentioning Tsvangirai by name is the realization that SADC has not yet released it full report on the fairness of the poll. But through the judiciary, Mugabe is firing warning shots and testing waters by advocating for the arrests of the lawyers,’ Shumba added.
COMMENTS
Stop the rot, usually the guilty are afraid. You are better off to let the lying dog lie. Why is the judiciary so defensive, it means that what the opposition has said is true. Any one can say anything at this time , more especially after such elections, the best you can do is to let reasoning rule the day. You are not showing us anything apart from how guilty you are as the judiciary.
This is what you get when judges are appointed by one person. They feel beholden to him for their supper.
The whole bunch of judges think and reason just like their god fcather monkey old mugabe. To hell with the zimbabwe judiciary syatem. It is a mockery to the world’s judiciary system a shame in itself
What do u expect from a corrupt regime. They r all puppets, arm generals, judges, police and zec officials. The only department which mugabe, has failed to drag into corruption is healthy, this is why he fly out of the country when is not well. He doesn’ t trust our doctors. Veduwe muroyi wehama akashata kudarika mutorwa, taigunun’una nguva yehutongi hwevachena, tarisayi zvino topera nechakapedza mbudzi. Tofa tinyerere sehwai. Zanu pf ndinoiziva, ishato, inobata mhuka yakayeverwa nemavara ayo
I think I commented on this earlier on, I was of the view that if the judiciary is going to react to anything of the sort that come their way, they will appear very guilt. In a situation like we had of elections, any one can say anything and it is up to the judiciary to be mature. Most people are in an irrate state. I would advice the judiciary to leave the lying Dog sleep. In the first place, why are they so agitated with the withdrawal of the case instead of praising them for a wise decision taken. By them reacting like that only qualifies to say the case was not going to receive A FAIR TRIAL ANYWAY.
SINGING FOR HIS SUPER SUPPER!
While he is at it, Bhunu should call for the arrest of one Joseph Mwale who petrol bombed Tichaona Chiminya and Talent Mabika in 2002.
Taura hako Rudadiso. These criminals are walking scot free. Also Judges are not Gods. They can be criticised
The weapon that Bhunu is using of contept is wrongly applied anyway, and that is abuse of authority. Who will criticise them if these guys conceal themselves in a cakoon like this? Judiciary should never be allowed to operate as a silo, it is connected to other silos too.
Chidyausiku ,Rita makararwa,Tobaiwa mudede ,bhunu,they are undermining the rule of law & they should remember not to throw stones while they pretty know that they live in glass house time will tell & they ought to make hey while the sunshine
I’m ashamed to share the same nationality as Mugabe and his side kicks.Oh by the way Mugabe is Malawian , I’m not surprised that Joyce Banda supports him because they are brother and sister. Bingu akanga akapuwa purazi nemukoma wake.
Mugabe and his family decided to go on vacation to celebrate the Nikuv Win.
Grace, his wife, John, his son and Sarah his daughter wanted to go to the Bahamas but Bob wanted to go to Dubai. So the 4 decided to vote and the result was as follows:
Bahamas: 3
Dubai: 68