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ZICOMO STATEMENT ON THE REMOVAL OF ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON MS JESSIE MAJOME


Jessie
Majome

This
action
represents
a
blatant
violation
of
the
Constitution
and
an
affront
to
civil
democracy,
in
which
diverse
viewpoints
contribute
to
the
nation’s
well-being.

The
decision,
announced
in
a
press
statement
from
Martin
Rushwaya,
the
Chief
Secretary
to
the
Cabinet,
raises
significant
concerns
about
potential
breaches
of
constitutional
procedures.
It
also
confirms
long-held
fears
about
the
emergence
of
an
overly
powerful
presidency,
which
has
been
characterised
as
“Munhumutapa
III.”

In
the
statement
issued
by
Rushwaya,
it
was
revealed
that
Ms.
Majome
has
been
abruptly
reassigned
to
the
Public
Service
Commission,
effective
immediately.
This
decision
appears
to
be
a
retaliatory
measure
against
the
ZHRC’s
recent
report
on
the
chaotic
Public
Hearings
concerning
the
controversial
Amendment
Number
3
Bill,
which
aims
to
unlawfully
extend
 Mnangagwa’s
term
of
office.

Importantly,
Ms.
Majome’s
removal
did
not
adhere
to
the
due
process
outlined
in
Sections
237,
187
of
the
Zimbabwean
Constitution.
The
sections
clearly
mandates
that
the
president
must
appoint
an
independent
tribunal
to
carry
out
a
thorough
inquiry
into
any
alleged
misconduct
before
proceeding
with
such
removals.

By
bypassing
this
legal
requirement,
the
integrity
of
the
commission
is
undermined,
raising
serious
questions
about
the
rule
of
law
in
Zimbabwe.
ZICOMO
is
particularly
alarmed
by
what
appears
to
be
a
pattern
of
disregard
for
the
country’s
legal
framework
by
President
Mnangagwa,
who
seems
to
be
exceeding
his
constitutional
authority
by
silencing
dissenting
 voices
that
challenge
his
governance
and
policies.

Furthermore,
we
believe
the
current
mismanagement
of
the
country’s
politics
and
economy
is
being
led
by
an
unelected
cartel
that
has
gained
so
much
power
that
even
ZANU
PF
appears
to
be
captured.
This
action
serves
as
a
troubling
indicator
of
the
potential
future
under
the
so-called
Munhumutapa
III,
should
the
Bill
be
passed,
despite
its
illegality.

Under
Ms.
Majome’s
leadership,
the
ZHRC
has
demonstrated
a
commendable
commitment
to
advocating
for
and
protecting
the
human
rights
of
all
Zimbabweans.
The
commission
has
courageously
held
the
government
accountable
for
its
actions.

In
light
of
these
events,
ZICOMO
calls
for
the
immediate
reinstatement
of
Ms.
Majome
to
her
former
position
and
firmly
demands
the
establishment
of
an
independent
tribunal
to
investigate
any
allegations
of
misconduct
during
her
tenure.
Such
actions
are
essential
not
only
to
uphold
the
rule
of
law
but
also
to
reinforce
the
importance
of
human
rights
in
Zimbabwe.

We
conclude
by
mobilising
all
Zimbabweans—including
war
veterans,
students,
women,
faith-based
movements,
and
those
within
ZANU
PF—to
reject
this
political
and
economic
capture
by
a
predatory
cartel.
As
Zimbabwe
approaches
the
46th
anniversary
of
its
independence
on
April
18,
we
call
upon
all
citizens
to
reflect
on
this
assault
on
our
hard-won
freedoms
and
to
be
prepared
to
restore
constitutionalism
in
Zimbabwe.


Inserted
by:
Information
and
Publicity
Department

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published
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