‘Mugabe attacking judges out of panic’

via ‘Mugabe attacking judges out of panic’ – NewsDay Zimbabwe March 9, 2015 by Everson Mushava

EXPELLED former Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday said President Robert Mugabe had been unsettled by the recent court challenge filed against him by former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s faction, hence his unprovoked attack on judges last week.

Mugabe last Friday warned High Court judges against presiding over the matter saying no judge or magistrate has the power to preside over internal Zanu PF matters.

Gumbo, who jointly filed the court challenge together with former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, said Mugabe had now become jittery after realising that he would lose the case in which he is being challenged to nullify the outcome of the party’s December congress.

“It is absolutely clear that he knows that he has a weak case and no judge will make a judgment in his favour, that is why he is intimidating judges,” Gumbo said.

“It shows that Mugabe and Zanu PF are above the law. We made our court case because we are satisfied that we will win. The courts should be allowed to decide on the merits of the case, rather than intimidating them.”

The pair is seeking nullification of the congress resolutions arguing that the constitutional changes adopted at the congress were illegal, especially clauses that gave Mugabe sweeping power to control Zanu PF.

“He is not properly advised. Their interests are in keeping their positions rather than respecting the laws of the land. It is, however, up to the people of Zimbabwe and the judges not to be influenced by the intimidation,” Gumbo said. “There is selective justice in Zimbabwe. Some favoured ones always get the best justice while the worst goes to those unfavoured ones. Justice is always manipulated to suit them.”

Zanu PF has not yet filed its opposing papers. Gumbo was expelled from the party in the run up to the December congress over his alleged involvement in the plot to kill Mugabe. Mutasa was expelled last month for threatening to take Mugabe to court. Several other party heavyweights lost their government and party positions on the same allegations.

MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said : “This old man has got absolutely no respect for both the Constitution and also for the principle of constitutionalism. He is operating like a classic tinpot dictator. Shame!”