Mahere demands for police action over Mangwana's remarks on judges

Human rights lawyer Fadzayi Mahere has urged the Zimbabwe Republic Police to investigate government spokesperson Ndavaningi Mangwana over comments she says amount to defamatory attacks on the judiciary.

The dispute stems from remarks made by Mangwana on X (formerly Twitter), where he criticised the judicial appointment system and suggested that some judges are “unfit,” adding in a response that critics had "nominated criminals as judges."

His comments were made in defence of the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, which proposes changes to the judicial selection process and increases executive influence in judicial appointments.

Mahere responded by warning that describing judges as “criminals” could constitute contempt of court and damage public confidence in the judiciary.

She challenged Mangwana to provide evidence for his claims, arguing that such statements were reckless and undermined judicial integrity.

Mahere also questioned whether he was implying that judges appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa were criminals, and suggested that the Judicial Service Commission should intervene.

The exchange comes amid heightened debate over the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, which seeks to expand executive powers in judicial appointments—an issue that has sparked strong opposition from legal professionals and civil society groups.

Mahere said Mangwana, who serves as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, should exercise greater caution when commenting on matters involving the judiciary, especially in a public official capacity.

The incident has intensified discussion over judicial independence, with critics warning that political commentary targeting judges risks undermining public trust in the courts and violating legal boundaries around contempt and defamation.