Chinembiri Bhunu; A Zanu PF Commissar in a judicial rob

By Tinashe Goodlaw Chifamba

In a case that did not only shock the legal fraternity but the entire country Justice or should l say InJustice Chinembiri Bhunu all but confirmed the long held view that he is indeed a ZANU(PF) political commisar. The conviction and subsequent sentencing of Councillor Tungamirai Madzokore, Last Maengahama and Yyvone Musarurwa is political. It is a well calculated political move aimed at instilling more fear on civil and political activists. I wouldn’t have said it better than ZWIPA Information Department who said “The judgement is politically motivated and a clear indication on(sic) judicial miscarriage, total unobliterated madness”.

It is the same Judge Bhunu who sometime in 2013 ordered that lawyers acting for President Morgan Tsvangirai in the matter of Tsvangirai v Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and others be subjected to punitive action by the attorney general and prosecuting authority thereby contravening lawyers rights under the United Nations dictates.

It was not only a controversial pronouncement but a clear confirmation of his role as a Zanu PF political commissar by demonstrating a culture of repression and authoritarianism.  The SUPREME Court later ruled that Bhunu had erred and misdirected himself when he recommended the prosecution of human rights lawyers over an alleged criticism of judicial officers.

My favourite dictionary Merriam – Webster  describes commissar also as “B -one that attempts to control public opinion or its expression”. This is exactly what Bhunu has been doing with so much impunity as the commissar.  The effect of the judgement is a naked attempt the cornered regime to SILENCE the masses who each day are making reasonable demands to the government.

As Zimbabwe we should be a society that prides itself for not leaving anyone behind in their pursuit of freedom, prosperity and happiness. However trusting people like Bhunu with our justice sysetm is as good as asking hyenas to herd our goats. No wonder why UK based journalist Lance Guma once said ” Justice Chinembiri Bhunu should not be found anywhere near a court room. Its like deploying a mosquito to cure malaria”.

I am not a legal fundi but it does not need a rocket scientist to see that the whole process was choreographed along Zanu pf commissariate lines with Bhunu being the main actor. In his judgement Bhunu said

“It follows therefore, that the three accused persons being part of the leadership and organisers of unsanctioned MDC-T T/Shirt

Visibility day, were jointly fully responsible for seeing to it that people and property were not harmed during the course of the unsanctioned demonstration…” The statement is not only bankrupt of facts and truth but also exposes two other  things;  that the judgement was   arrived at shake shake building and that someone is remote controlling Chinembiri or that he is good at his job as Zanu pf political commissar stationed at the High Court of Zimbabwe.  It is imperative that one notes the below points versus Chinembiri’s pronouncements

1) When Yvonne Musarurwa was arrested she was not yet a leader to convene such a meeting.

2) Last Maengahama was not a member of the youth structure and this was youth program.

3) Tungamirai Madzokera is a councillor, not a leader within the assembly.

Bhunu said the gathering was illegal. My question then is  how did he pick the convener and how many people convene a gathering? Yvonne and the co team are just innocent and Bhunu is only executing his duties as assigned from the horror house next to Rowan Martins building. He was simply reacting to the pressure the government has been under from movements such as #MyZimbabwe, #Tajamuka and many more Zimbabweans suffering and abused by the regime. It is a futile attempt to in still fear and panic to the opposition structures.

“Those who foment trouble today disturbing the peace in misguided political violence will have to account and atone for their transgressions in a hard way regardless of their political orientation,” said inJustice Bhunu. This put to bed any doubts that he acted as a political commmissar. What trouble can an unarmed, untrained and  unemployed young woman like Yyvone cause to this already destroyed nation?

Chinembiri Bhunu should resign from our courts if he has any shame and dignity left in him. I know this is asking too much from such a judicial henchman.  His actions are an indictment of a career that I once so admired. No wonder why one of the country’s upcoming legal Gurus described Bhunu as dull. He also stated that “as to trust our Justice system with such Zombies like Bhunu is a disaster. Indeed it is a disaster. But what else is not disastrous under this Robert Mugabe led Zanu PF regime?

Tsvangirai Chete Chete

#MyZimbabwe

Tinashe G Chifamba is a member of the MDC T Youth Assembly and writes in his personal capacity.