News / Local
Zanu-PF tells critics of General Sibanda's politburo appointment to 'got to court'
01 Nov 2023 at 02:32hrs | Views
Zanu-PF maintains that only the Constitutional Court can determine the constitutionality of General Phillip Valerio Sibanda's appointment to the Zanu-PF politburo, dismissing the growing criticism of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's decision.
Sibanda, the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, was named an ex officio member of the politburo on October 28 during the annual Zanu-PF conference, which led to criticism from lawyers and the opposition, as they argued that the constitution prohibits security service members from active participation in any political party or organization.
Zanu-PF argues that the criticism is unwarranted, emphasizing that only the courts of law have the authority to make definitive rulings on constitutional and legal matters. Zanu-PF's director of information, Farai Marapira, stated that the Constitutional Court is the appropriate platform for such matters.
Marapira also cited Section 67 of the Constitution, which grants every Zimbabwean citizen the right to make political choices freely, and asserted that Section 208 does not prohibit political choices but encourages members of the forces to remain non-partisan in the execution of their duties.
Critics, however, continue to reject Zanu-PF's arguments, contending that Mnangagwa breached his oath to uphold the constitution by making Sibanda a partisan general. They argue that Sibanda can only hold one role at a time, either as a general or a Zanu-PF politburo member, but not both.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesman, Promise Mkwananzi, called for General Sibanda to step down from one of the roles, asserting that the appointment was both unlawful and politically problematic. Lawyers, including Advocate Thabani Mpofu and MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora, also criticized the appointment as unconstitutional and a conflation of the state, army, and party.
President Mnangagwa is believed to favor General Sibanda as his successor and is trying to create a path for him in Zanu-PF politics.
Former foreign minister Walter Mzembi expressed concerns over General Sibanda's involvement in the politburo and its potential to create conflicts for a military commander. He emphasized the need to respect the boundaries related to the state's design in Zimbabwe.
Sibanda, the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, was named an ex officio member of the politburo on October 28 during the annual Zanu-PF conference, which led to criticism from lawyers and the opposition, as they argued that the constitution prohibits security service members from active participation in any political party or organization.
Zanu-PF argues that the criticism is unwarranted, emphasizing that only the courts of law have the authority to make definitive rulings on constitutional and legal matters. Zanu-PF's director of information, Farai Marapira, stated that the Constitutional Court is the appropriate platform for such matters.
Marapira also cited Section 67 of the Constitution, which grants every Zimbabwean citizen the right to make political choices freely, and asserted that Section 208 does not prohibit political choices but encourages members of the forces to remain non-partisan in the execution of their duties.
Critics, however, continue to reject Zanu-PF's arguments, contending that Mnangagwa breached his oath to uphold the constitution by making Sibanda a partisan general. They argue that Sibanda can only hold one role at a time, either as a general or a Zanu-PF politburo member, but not both.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesman, Promise Mkwananzi, called for General Sibanda to step down from one of the roles, asserting that the appointment was both unlawful and politically problematic. Lawyers, including Advocate Thabani Mpofu and MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora, also criticized the appointment as unconstitutional and a conflation of the state, army, and party.
President Mnangagwa is believed to favor General Sibanda as his successor and is trying to create a path for him in Zanu-PF politics.
Former foreign minister Walter Mzembi expressed concerns over General Sibanda's involvement in the politburo and its potential to create conflicts for a military commander. He emphasized the need to respect the boundaries related to the state's design in Zimbabwe.
Source - zimlive
