Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly says Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi’s threats to the judiciary are unacceptable.

Ziyambi on Saturday threatened to reform the judiciary following the landmark ruling by the High Court that reversed Luke Malaba’s reappointment by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Below is MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma’s statement:

Ziyambi’s Threats To The Judiciary Totally Unacceptable

16-05-2021

ZANU PF through Ziyambi Ziyambi yesterday threatened to reform the judiciary because they ruled against Emmerson Mnangagwa’s plan to extend former Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s term of office beyond constitutional provisions.

The cowardly threats confirm what the public has always known, that ZANU PF wants to control and capture all the institutions of the state including the judiciary.

The arrogance and bitter tone of Ziyambi is synonymous with full blown dictators that do not appreciate and understand the role of the judiciary in a constitutional democracy.

Ziyambi must be schooled that among the three arms of government, it is the judiciary which is the final arbiter of our constitution. That is why every citizen and institution within the state must respect the rulings of the judiciary, even when they are adverse to their interests.

Yesterday the High Court asserted its authority and independence in matters legal and the response of the regime is a threat to the judges.

Ziyambi must not treat our esteemed learned judges like children.

This is not acceptable!

ZANU PF has been interfering and abusing the judiciary particularly the Magistrate Courts to settle scores with political opponents, and resultantly human rights defenders and opposition leaders have been persecuted by prosecution through long pre-trial detentions.

The anger expressed by ZANU PF through Ziyambi also confirms that the extension of Malaba’s term of office has sinister motives.

Why him and him only? Could it be related to his ruling on the presidential petition of Adv Nelson Chamisa after 2018 elections dispute? Was it to say thank you for a hatchet job?

These questions will continue lingering in the minds of all right thinking people.

We are however pleased that citizens have answered the call by President Chamisa to converge for change. Kudos to the NGO Forum and the Young Lawyers Association who filed the court cases to defend the People’s Constitution.

Indeed we are stronger together!

DefyOrDie

People’sAgenda2021

CitizensConvergenceForChange

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson