In recent years, Zimbabwe has seen its once-strong judiciary system fall apart. Many blame this on the ruling party, ZANU PF, for using the courts to strengthen its own power. The collapse of the country’s courts has hurt democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe, ZANU PF has been accused of controlling the judiciary in ways that weaken it. One way this was done is by appointing judges who are loyal to the party. These judges have often given rulings that favor ZANU PF. This has made people feel like the courts are not fair, and that they cannot trust the system.
Another major issue is the way the judicial process is manipulated. There are many cases where the ruling party pushed certain cases through the courts very quickly, leading to rushed decisions. These cases are often politically motivated, meaning they are aimed at silencing people who are against the government. Because of this, many people are too scared to speak out. The judiciary is supposed to stop the government from doing things like this, but in Zimbabwe, the courts have not been able to do this.
The collapse of the judiciary system goes beyond just the judges. The government has also interfered with how judges are appointed, promoted, and even fired. This kind of interference has made it very hard for the judiciary to act freely and fairly. In a proper system, judges should not be controlled by the government. They should be able to make decisions based on the law alone. However, in Zimbabwe, this important rule has been broken.
The damage caused by the collapse of the judiciary is huge. One major problem is that human rights in Zimbabwe are not being protected. Without a strong court system, those in power can abuse human rights without facing any punishment. People who suffer from these abuses have no way to fight back because the courts will not help them. This has made Zimbabwe a place where those in power can do whatever they want, without worrying about the consequences.
Another result of this collapse is that people no longer trust the courts. Citizens do not believe they will get fair treatment in the legal system. This has caused a serious loss of faith in the rule of law. When people lose faith in the legal system, society becomes unstable. The rule of law is the foundation of any functioning society, and without it, there can be chaos.
Fixing this problem will take a lot of effort. The government must act fast to bring back the independence and fairness of the judiciary. One step they can take is to make sure that judges are appointed based on their skills and experience, rather than their loyalty to the ruling party. Judges should be chosen in a fair and transparent way, without any interference from the government. In addition, there should be systems in place to protect the courts from being influenced by politics.
The international community also has a role to play. Other countries can put pressure on Zimbabwe to fix its broken judiciary. This can be done through diplomatic pressure, sanctions, or by offering help to improve the legal system. The world should not stand by and watch as Zimbabwe’s justice system falls apart.
The collapse of Zimbabwe’s judiciary is a serious threat to the country’s democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It is a crisis that must be addressed right away. By fixing the courts and ensuring they are independent, Zimbabwe can begin to rebuild its democratic institutions. This will not only bring back trust in the legal system but also help protect the rights of all Zimbabweans. A fair judiciary is key to a just society, and only through justice can Zimbabwe move forward as a nation.