Zimbabwean lawyers under the Law Society of Zimbabwe today took to the streets to protest against the deplorable justice system in the country.
This comes in the wake of government crackdown on alleged perpetrators of violence resulting in the arrest of over 1000 people.
Speaking to 263Chat during the march, Constitutional lawyer, Fadzai Mahere bemoaned the abuse of human right at the courts with politicians and the army allegedly in control of judicial system.
“We demand the restoration of constitutional freedoms and we also demand the removal of the military from the streets, courts or civilians lives and we are also in support of fair trial at the courts,” said Mahere.
Last week, lawyers reached out to Chief Justice Luke Malaba to express their disquiet over what they consider to be railroading of trials especially matters relating to the recent nationwide protests.
Another lawyer, Agency Gumbo said the judicial system had lost confidence due to poor management of cases and the rampant corruption in the handling of trials.
“We have a challenge In Zimbabwe where we no longer have confidence in the legal system. You can be surprised that when you got to court there will be orders that would have already been given from somewhere else other than the constitutional mandate and the law of the country.
“So we are in protest over the blatant disregard of the rule of law, the blatant disregard of the constitution of Zimbabwe, we are doing this as a call to the government of Zimbabwe to restore constitutionalism in the courts,” he said
Handing over the petition at the Constitutional Court, Human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa lashed at the authorities for capturing the courts while calling the government to respect the constitutional mandate of the judiciary.
There have been reports of massive corruption and nepotism in the appointment of officers in the judicial service commission.
