FAIR PLAY OR FOUL PLAY?
On 23 August, Zimbabwe is going to have important elections. But something worrying has happened. 12 people from opposition parties in Bulawayo and one person, Saviour Kasukuwere, who wanted to be president, have been told they can’t be part of the elections. Many people think that the courts, who made this decision, are being controlled by the current President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and his party, Zanu PF. They worry that this is not fair and is stopping Zimbabwe from being a democratic country.
Zimbabwe’s democracy is in danger. The ruling party, Zanu PF, has been in power for a long time since 1980. They are known for using many ways, sometimes scary ones, to win elections. Even after the old President, Robert Mugabe, was removed in 2017 and Mnangagwa became the President, things didn’t really change. People hoped for better, but it didn’t happen.
Now, with these candidates being stopped from standing in the elections, people are more worried. They think the courts, which should be fair and honest, are being used by the ruling party to stay in power. This is something new and very concerning. People are calling it ‘partisan judicialisation’, which is a big word for saying the courts are taking sides in politics.
Last year, President Mnangagwa decided to keep Chief Justice Luke Malaba in his job for five more years. This has made people more scared because it shows the courts and the ruling party are working together. It’s not what should happen in a country where the law is supposed to be fair.
The world was hopeful that Zimbabwe would move towards being more democratic. But now, there is a big worry. If the ruling party keeps using power in wrong ways, things might get worse. The world needs to pay attention and help make sure the elections are fair and honest. The people of Zimbabwe deserve to choose their leaders freely. Everyone is watching and hoping that Zimbabwe will find its way back to fairness and justice.
The recent disqualifications of opposition candidates, allegedly influenced by the ruling party, cast a shadow on the independence of Zimbabwe’s judiciary. For a democracy to function, it’s essential that the judiciary remains impartial, making decisions based on law rather than political influence. Strengthening judicial independence is crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring the democratic process is respected.
The barring of opposition figures from participating in the upcoming elections raises serious concerns about electoral fairness and transparency. Democracy thrives on competition and the free exchange of ideas. Limiting who can stand in elections not only undermines the principles of democracy but also deprives citizens of the right to choose their leaders from a full spectrum of candidates.