via Mugabe, Gono and the Rule of Law by RAU | Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum 3 October 2014
At the root of Mugabe’s approach to the law is the notion that rules, including the national constitution, its subsidiary laws, and indeed, the ZANU PF party constitution are not inviolable. With this attitude as the foundation of governance by successive Mugabe-led regimes, the whole edifice of legality and constitutionalism has crumbled. For example, Mugabe and ZANU PF hold the new constitution to be a mere guideline that the government may adhere to at some unstated time in the future, rather than a sacrosanct document the provisions of which require immediate, absolute and fearful compliance. Zimbabweans appear to have become so inured to the former attitude that, although the country is in fact in the throes of a major, but silent, constitutional crisis – the symptoms of which are insouciantly brushed aside as inconsequential by government – has been inadequately commented upon. Where there has been a response, it mostly has been one of muted protest rather than a howl of indignant outrage and disbelief at the arrogant temerity of it all. Read more Mugabe & Gono
COMMENTS
The deliberate collapse of the rule of law in Zimbabwe is perhaps Mugabe’s biggest crime; and he has many many crimes to his name.
When a President murders his own civilians and citizens on the grounds that they are the enemy – and tells them that if Zanu puts a baboon up as candidate the people must vote them…….The Tokolsohe transforms the candidates into baboons.
From the eyes of the Tokoloshe – the country is run by baboons. Baboons steal from farms like Kondozi….
DIS GRACE
It reminds me an incident the late General Solomon Mujuru once told me. One day he was sitting by the bar having his favourite drink at some golf club. His phone rang. He answered and only to be reproached by the bar man. He was advised the club constitution does not permit members to talk on the phone in the bar. He asked to see the constitution.
When a copy was handed to him, he tore to pieces and said “now there is no constitution”. And he continued with his phone conversation.
While a constitution is made by man, that same constitution helps to govern the same person created it. It needs to be respected otherwise why waste resources creating one.
We will end up giving each other PhDs.