News / National
Election date ruling an example of Zim judicial system corruption, says Bennett
06 Jun 2013 at 05:27hrs | Views
Roy Bennett, the Exiled MDC treasurer, has described the Constitutional Court ruling that elections must be held by July 31 as a sham and a "prime example of the corruption within our judicial system."
He said : "One of the cornerstones of a true democracy is the independence of the judiciary. The case brought forward by Jealousy Mawarire is a sham. Zanu-PF have been channelling their wishes for an early election date through Mr Mawarire's NGO. As we first revealed last year, the Centre for Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa is a CIO-sponsored organisation, which is part of Operation Spiderweb, Zanu-PF's propaganda initiative.
"The judge who sent Mawarire's case as a matter of urgency to the Supreme Court, and also rejected President Tsvangirai's appeal against the case, was Godfrey Chidyausiku. He was appointed Zimbabwe's Chief Justice in 2001 despite the fact he had previously represented Zanu-PF in Parliament and had held 3 ministerial positions in government. At the same time, judges trying to expose the regime like Justice Hungwe are vilified. After Hungwe ordered the release of Beatrice Mtetwa and issued the Anti-Corruption Commission a search warrant to investigate three Zanu-PF cabinet ministers, he was summoned to appear before Chidyausiku for alleged misconduct."
Bennett said despite the ruling, it was unlikely that the elections will take place before July 31st.
"Zanu-PF officials have announced several election deadlines that have never come to fruition. At a Zanu-PF annual conference resolution in Mutare in 2010, Mugabe said that elections had to take place by the end of 2011 without fail. Then in 2011, he said, "We cannot go beyond March next year. I will definitely announce the date." Further election deadlines were set for March 31st and June 29th 2013, and now we have another delay.
"These constant postponements are proof that ZANU no longer has the power to call all the shots. Until SADC agrees that the GNU conditions have been met and the reforms in our new constitution are implemented, there will be no election. These requirements go beyond party politics and will ensure a peaceful future in Zimbabwe for everyone without fear of the authorities.
"Comrades, 2013 will be the year of change and no one will be able to stop it. Hatred and envy can only destroy us. Truth, justice, love and forgiveness will set us free."
He said : "One of the cornerstones of a true democracy is the independence of the judiciary. The case brought forward by Jealousy Mawarire is a sham. Zanu-PF have been channelling their wishes for an early election date through Mr Mawarire's NGO. As we first revealed last year, the Centre for Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa is a CIO-sponsored organisation, which is part of Operation Spiderweb, Zanu-PF's propaganda initiative.
"The judge who sent Mawarire's case as a matter of urgency to the Supreme Court, and also rejected President Tsvangirai's appeal against the case, was Godfrey Chidyausiku. He was appointed Zimbabwe's Chief Justice in 2001 despite the fact he had previously represented Zanu-PF in Parliament and had held 3 ministerial positions in government. At the same time, judges trying to expose the regime like Justice Hungwe are vilified. After Hungwe ordered the release of Beatrice Mtetwa and issued the Anti-Corruption Commission a search warrant to investigate three Zanu-PF cabinet ministers, he was summoned to appear before Chidyausiku for alleged misconduct."
Bennett said despite the ruling, it was unlikely that the elections will take place before July 31st.
"Zanu-PF officials have announced several election deadlines that have never come to fruition. At a Zanu-PF annual conference resolution in Mutare in 2010, Mugabe said that elections had to take place by the end of 2011 without fail. Then in 2011, he said, "We cannot go beyond March next year. I will definitely announce the date." Further election deadlines were set for March 31st and June 29th 2013, and now we have another delay.
"These constant postponements are proof that ZANU no longer has the power to call all the shots. Until SADC agrees that the GNU conditions have been met and the reforms in our new constitution are implemented, there will be no election. These requirements go beyond party politics and will ensure a peaceful future in Zimbabwe for everyone without fear of the authorities.
"Comrades, 2013 will be the year of change and no one will be able to stop it. Hatred and envy can only destroy us. Truth, justice, love and forgiveness will set us free."
Source - newswires
