By Staff Reporter
Yesterday’s ruling by the High Court Judge, Justice Amy Chitsanga that Tendai Biti and other five legislators were inappropriately recalled from parliament, vindicated the judiciary against allegations that it is captured by the State.
Justice Chitsanga ruled that Benjamin Rukanda was not the Secretary General of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and has no legal standing to recall Biti and others from parliament.
Yesterday Twitter users applauded the ruling saying it debunks the narrative of the courts being captured by the State and the ruling party.
“The ruling is welcome as it rubbishes the allegations that the courts are captured by the State. Biti and his team are well known opposition members but yesterday they received a favourable court judgment. This talk of the courts being captured should cease forthwith,” tweeted Lucia Tanhara.
Lloyd Matigwene said the ruling is a slap on the face to those who speak badly of the country’s judiciary system.
“The ruling is a clap on the face of those who always speak badly of our courts. What will they say now when senior opposition members are getting justice from these courts,” said Matigwene.
Marian Dhliwayo tweeted that the courts were not captured and that’s why the opposition always rushes there for redress.
“The courts are not captured and the opposition knows it. This is the reason why they rush to the same courts for redress because they know that they will get fair judgments,” said Dhliwayo.
Tevedzai Zulu also tweeted that Zimbabwe had the best judiciary system that delivers on its mandate without fear or favour.
“It’s not only Biti who has received a favourable judgment from the courts. If you still remember, last year in February, the MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala was acquitted of subversion charges by Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze. This is a sign that the courts are very independent,” wrote Zulu.
Biti and legislators William Madzimure of Kambuzuma, Settlement Chikwinya of Mbizo, Kucaca Ivumile Phulu of Nkulumane, Sichelesile Mahlangu of Pumula and Regai Tsunga of Mutasa South, were recalled from Parliament by a PDP faction on 17 March this year.
The Zimbabwean judiciary system has been under attack by the opposition political parties who view it as an extension of the ruling party. The MDC Alliance in particular has a tendency of discrediting any entity that comes with a decision that is not tilted in their favour. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is another institution that has been viewed as a Zanu PF affiliated institution.
However, the MDC Alliance has won in some constituencies and they have also won in the courts. Despite these victories, they choose to be mum and continue viewing these national institutions as inclined to Zanu PF.
