News / National
Malunga defends Fuzwayo amid 'sellout' storm
2 hrs ago |
216 Views
Prominent human rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga has come to the defence of Matabeleland activist Mbuso Fuzwayo, who is facing intense criticism over his Constitutional Court application challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa's alleged bid to extend his stay in power beyond 2028.
Fuzwayo, the secretary-general of Ibhetshu Likazulu, has been accused by some in opposition and civic circles of being part of a Zanu-PF plot to secure a favourable court ruling that could pave the way for Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
However, in a strongly worded response on X (formerly Twitter), Malunga dismissed the "sellout" narrative, describing Fuzwayo as a lifelong defender of justice and victims of the Gukurahundi massacres.
"So lithi lina Mbuso Fuzwayo who has all his adult life fought for the dignity, rights & justice for Gukurahundi victims at huge cost to himself & family is NOW a sellout ngoba he filed a court case that YOU believe WILL help Mnangagwa stay?" Malunga wrote.
"ED does not need Mbuso to stay. Liyezwa?"
In a follow-up post, Malunga urged tolerance for differing legal strategies, saying critics had the same right to bring their own court challenges if they disagreed.
"He has a right to be wrong. Nothing stops others from filing their own cases. We had multiple cases vs Malaba extension. If Zimbabweans don't want 2030, they will need to do far more than criticise this case," he said.
Malunga's remarks came amid mounting online backlash against Fuzwayo's court application, which seeks direct access to the Constitutional Court to block any unconstitutional extension of Mnangagwa's term.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Fuzwayo dismissed claims that he was working with Zanu-PF, insisting that his case is meant to defend the Constitution, not to enable Mnangagwa's continued rule.
"Those who know me know that I am a bona fide grassroots activist who acts out of conscience, conviction and a deep desire to defend the poor people's rights, freedom and dignity," he said.
"I have been in this struggle for 25 years. Unlike many in civil society and the opposition, I don't need donors to fight for the people."
Fuzwayo also denied allegations that he had been paid to file the case, saying he barely had "US$10" in his pocket during the interview.
"People say I was paid, which is false. I have nothing to my name worth talking about, but I fight for ordinary people," he said.
The controversy has caused rifts within Ibhetshu Likazulu, with activist Gifford Sibanda resigning in protest, accusing Fuzwayo of allowing the organisation to be used for political purposes.
Fuzwayo acknowledged the divisions, saying confusion arose after draft court papers were leaked.
"We discussed the plan to challenge Mnangagwa's term extension in court and agreed to proceed. Then someone leaked the draft, which caused confusion," he explained.
He rejected accusations by lawyers and activists - including Advocate Thabani Mpofu - that his court application was a Zanu-PF-sponsored ploy, calling such claims "baseless and hypocritical."
"I have never aided or abetted Zanu-PF in any way, shape or form in my life," he said.
"We fought Mugabe for 37 years over bad governance and human rights abuses. We can't now support the same thing under Mnangagwa."
Fuzwayo's application challenges Zanu-PF's 2024 Resolution 1, which proposes extending Mnangagwa's presidency to 2030 - a move he says violates constitutional term limits unless approved through Parliament and a national referendum.
The case lists Zanu-PF, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Speaker Jacob Mudenda, Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza, and President Mnangagwa as respondents.
If accepted by the Constitutional Court, the case could become a landmark test of Zimbabwe's commitment to constitutionalism and the peaceful transfer of power.
For now, Fuzwayo says he remains undeterred - and has found an unlikely ally in Malunga, who reminded critics that disagreement is not betrayal.
"We don't have to agree on tactics," Malunga said. "But we must not destroy those who dare to act when others only talk."
Fuzwayo, the secretary-general of Ibhetshu Likazulu, has been accused by some in opposition and civic circles of being part of a Zanu-PF plot to secure a favourable court ruling that could pave the way for Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
However, in a strongly worded response on X (formerly Twitter), Malunga dismissed the "sellout" narrative, describing Fuzwayo as a lifelong defender of justice and victims of the Gukurahundi massacres.
"So lithi lina Mbuso Fuzwayo who has all his adult life fought for the dignity, rights & justice for Gukurahundi victims at huge cost to himself & family is NOW a sellout ngoba he filed a court case that YOU believe WILL help Mnangagwa stay?" Malunga wrote.
"ED does not need Mbuso to stay. Liyezwa?"
In a follow-up post, Malunga urged tolerance for differing legal strategies, saying critics had the same right to bring their own court challenges if they disagreed.
"He has a right to be wrong. Nothing stops others from filing their own cases. We had multiple cases vs Malaba extension. If Zimbabweans don't want 2030, they will need to do far more than criticise this case," he said.
Malunga's remarks came amid mounting online backlash against Fuzwayo's court application, which seeks direct access to the Constitutional Court to block any unconstitutional extension of Mnangagwa's term.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Fuzwayo dismissed claims that he was working with Zanu-PF, insisting that his case is meant to defend the Constitution, not to enable Mnangagwa's continued rule.
"Those who know me know that I am a bona fide grassroots activist who acts out of conscience, conviction and a deep desire to defend the poor people's rights, freedom and dignity," he said.
"I have been in this struggle for 25 years. Unlike many in civil society and the opposition, I don't need donors to fight for the people."
Fuzwayo also denied allegations that he had been paid to file the case, saying he barely had "US$10" in his pocket during the interview.
"People say I was paid, which is false. I have nothing to my name worth talking about, but I fight for ordinary people," he said.
The controversy has caused rifts within Ibhetshu Likazulu, with activist Gifford Sibanda resigning in protest, accusing Fuzwayo of allowing the organisation to be used for political purposes.
Fuzwayo acknowledged the divisions, saying confusion arose after draft court papers were leaked.
"We discussed the plan to challenge Mnangagwa's term extension in court and agreed to proceed. Then someone leaked the draft, which caused confusion," he explained.
He rejected accusations by lawyers and activists - including Advocate Thabani Mpofu - that his court application was a Zanu-PF-sponsored ploy, calling such claims "baseless and hypocritical."
"I have never aided or abetted Zanu-PF in any way, shape or form in my life," he said.
"We fought Mugabe for 37 years over bad governance and human rights abuses. We can't now support the same thing under Mnangagwa."
Fuzwayo's application challenges Zanu-PF's 2024 Resolution 1, which proposes extending Mnangagwa's presidency to 2030 - a move he says violates constitutional term limits unless approved through Parliament and a national referendum.
The case lists Zanu-PF, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Speaker Jacob Mudenda, Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza, and President Mnangagwa as respondents.
If accepted by the Constitutional Court, the case could become a landmark test of Zimbabwe's commitment to constitutionalism and the peaceful transfer of power.
For now, Fuzwayo says he remains undeterred - and has found an unlikely ally in Malunga, who reminded critics that disagreement is not betrayal.
"We don't have to agree on tactics," Malunga said. "But we must not destroy those who dare to act when others only talk."
Source - byo24news
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
