Chief justice calls for violence free election
By Never Kadungure | Nehanda Politics |
Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku has called for a violence-free election as Zimbabwe gears up for elections this year. The blue eyed boy of the Mugabe regime was speaking at the official opening of the 2013 High Court legal year.
“We in the judiciary also note that the nation may go to the polls this year. As the nation gears itself up for the elections, we add our voice to those who are calling for free and fair elections that are held in a violence-free atmosphere.
“While the courts stand ready to hear cases relating to the forthcoming elections, it is my fervent hope that litigation, if any, relating to the running of and the results emerging from the polls will be very little,” Chidyausiku said.
Victims of Zanu PF sponsored violence and murder will take no comfort from Chidyausiku given that judges on the bench have literally been in the pocket of Mugabe’s party. Mugabe’s regime murdered over 500 people in the run up to the June 2008 presidential poll and the judiciary has been a silent accomplice.
The performance of judges like Chinembiri Bhunu in prolonging the incarceration of nearly 30 MDC-T activists charged with killing a policeman has also shown how many of the judges are taking political instructions. The activists spent over a year in remand prison despite weak cases against them.
The majority of the judges are also recipients of farms from Zanu PF’s chaotic land grab campaign and have over the years received many other ‘gifts’ disguised as work related ‘incentives’.
In August 2008 it was reported how the Zanu PF had ensured that senior judges of the high court and labour court were given new 32-inch sets and satellite dishes, with the chief justice and judge president receiving 42-inch screens.
A total of 16 new Mercedes-Benz E280 cars were also handed out, as were generators to help them cope with power cuts. Zanu PF said the ‘gifts’ were intended “to improve their conditions of service”.
In addition utility vehicles including Toyota and Isuzu trucks were also handed out to the judges, ensuring that their loyalty to Mugabe and his party was never in doubt. [twitter-follow username=”nehandaradio” scheme=”dark”]
