The attack on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission by Minister of Justice Ziyambi Ziyambi is not only sad but illegal.
It is a flagrant violation of the Constitution,a total disrespect of it’s values and spirit and an illegality which must not only be condemned but must come with political cost.
Just like the attempt to destroy the MDC parliamentary caucus ,this is also an act of Executive overreach.
The Human Rights Commission’s independence is constitutional,it is subject only to the supreme law and the people of Zimbabwe through Parliament.
The report by the Commission is factual and balanced. More importantly it is bold, considering the fascist environment prevailing in the country.
The Commission must not only be applauded but must be defended by the citizens, CSOs, the Church and even political parties.
Stakeholders cannot remain silent while democracy and the Constitution, its institutions are under attack by someone who has a track record of abusing the Justice Department for a narrow partisan agenda of self preservation and power retention.
The Justice Minister has no power over independent Commissions,any attempt to temper with them would be executive over reach and is uncceptable.
For someone who is failing to push an agenda for alignment of laws to the Constitution seeking additional and illegal self vested duties is laughable.
He must deliver on what he is mandated to do which for now he has done an embarrassing job.
The MDC will not allow him to harrass commissioners and put unnecessary pressure on them.
They must be allowed to do their job.
In fact we encourage all the magistrates trying cases relating to the shut down to follow the path that the Human Rights Commission has led.
Acting independently saves the nation from ridicule.
All institutions of the state must be professional , effective and strong only subject to regulations as opposed to interests of a political party.
Behold the New. Change that Delivers!
Hon Kucaca Phulu(MP)
MDC National Secretary for Constitutional and Parliamentary affairs