ZIMBABWE FACES BIG TROUBLE AS ELECTIONS APPROACH
In Zimbabwe, the country is getting ready for general elections on August 23. However, things are taking a very worrying turn. Twelve opposition parliamentary candidates in Bulawayo have been disqualified from running in the elections. Even more surprising is that an independent presidential candidate, Saviour Kasukuwere, has also been disqualified. This has caused a lot of concern among people who believe the courts, which should be fair and just, are now being used for political purposes. Many people feel that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ruling party, Zanu PF, are using the courts to keep power. This has made a lot of people feel that democracy is being threatened in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is a country that once had strong democratic principles, but now these are at risk. The Zanu PF party, which has been in power since 1980, is known for using different ways to win elections. They use both rewards and threats to make sure they stay in control. Sometimes they offer things to people to buy their votes, but other times, they use intimidation and even violence. This has been happening for many years, and even when Robert Mugabe, the long-time president, was removed in 2017, things did not change much. Mnangagwa came to power through a military coup, and many people hoped things would be better, but now it seems that Zanu PF is still as powerful as ever.
The disqualification of opposition candidates and the independent presidential candidate is very worrying. It shows that the courts, which are supposed to be fair and not take sides, are now being used to support the ruling party. This is called ‘partisan judicialisation’, which means that the judiciary, or the legal system, is being used for political purposes. This has made people wonder if the courts are still independent or if they are now being controlled by the ruling party.
In 2021, President Mnangagwa extended the term of Chief Justice Luke Malaba by five years. This was done through changes to the constitution, and many people were unhappy about it. They feel that this is part of a plan to make sure that the courts remain loyal to the ruling party. This has made people worry even more that Zimbabwe is moving away from democracy and towards a system where the judiciary is used to keep one party in power.
Zimbabwe is now at a critical point in its history. The democratic future of the country is at risk. Many people in Zimbabwe, as well as people in other countries, had hoped that Zimbabwe would become more democratic after the end of Robert Mugabe’s rule. However, it seems like the opposite is happening. Zanu PF is using its power not just through elections but through the courts as well.
It is now important for the international community to take notice of what is happening in Zimbabwe. Countries around the world, along with Zimbabwe’s neighbors, need to come together and take action. There are different ways they can do this. For example, they can impose sanctions on Zimbabwe or put diplomatic pressure on the government. By doing this, they can help Zimbabwe return to a path of democracy. The people of Zimbabwe deserve to have free and fair elections where everyone’s rights are respected.
The recent actions of disqualifying opposition candidates and the independent presidential hopeful have shown that Zimbabwe is moving in a dangerous direction. The courts, which should be neutral, are now playing a part in making sure the ruling party stays in power. This is a worrying development for the people of Zimbabwe, who are now seeing their democracy being taken away. The international community must step in and help Zimbabwe find its way back to true democracy, where the people have the right to choose their leaders freely. Zimbabwe’s future depends on it.
