By Jane Mlambo| Vice President Constantino Chiwenga whose nasty divorce to former model Marry Mubaiwa has hogged the limelight since the new year has refused to bow down, accusing Judge President George Chiweshe of influencing court decision in favor of his estranged wife.

Chiwenga accused Chiweshe of leaking judgements to Marry before they are officially handed down.

While the constitution is clear on the independence of the three arms of state i.e Executive, Judiciary and Legislature, it must be stressed that no-one including those in higher echelons of power should be allowed to temper with any of the arms of state.

This means Chiwenga’s remarks against Judge President Chiweshe must be condemned by any right thinking Zimbabwe as it is likely to compromise the independence of the judiciary which is a critical pillar in enforcing constitutionalism and justice for all citizens.

The judiciary should remain independent to enable anyone aggrieved by individuals, corporates or the state itself to seek justice.

Now looking at the implications of this particular case, Chiwenga is the vice President of Zimbabwe which makes him the second powerful citizen.

Chiwenga is also powerful politically based on his central role in the November 2017 military coup that displaced the late former President Robert Mugabe.

Chiwenga is even more powerful than his counterpart Kembo Mohadi and in many instances, those in very key positions do not want to cross paths with him for fear of being freezed out.

The political power wielded by Chiwenga and his remarks against Chiweshe is likely to turn tables in his divorce case considering that the man he is challenging is a senior judge and if this can be done to a senior what more other junior officers.

It must be stressed that the ruling Chiwenga is challenging had helped in boosting confidence in the judiciary in many ways. First that the judiciary can still rule against powerful people like Chiwenga and secondly that there was no interference in the outcome which appeared to have been based on the merits of submissions made by both parties.

Now with these threats, we are likely to see the judiciary making concessionary rulings to salvage the embarassment or possibly out of fear of Zimbabwe’s number two.

Judiciary should always remain independent- PLEASE.