Is there justice in Zimbabwe? This country is stuck in corruption. But that corruption is more sustained by lawyers and law-enforcement agents, than by ordinary people. Ordinarily, a lawyer is considered to be a responsible and a trusted individual—assumed to be most knowledgeable in applications of law. This assumption leads to multiple cases failing to go through the Law courts—though deserving. Only a careful analysis shows that lawyers are the crudest criminals in corruptible activities.
As soon as any wrong is committed against me, the most logical thing is to find a lawyer to legally represent me. Alternatively, I need a lawyer to represent me when being the one assuming to be falsely accused of any crime. What lawyers demand for their legal services are not uniform. Though the same lawyers expect payment—regardless of whether cases under consideration, are lost or won.
In Zimbabwe, it is common that an accused person can unknowingly bid with the complainant, in terms of what the lawyer needs as his/her dues. In other words, if I hire a lawyer to legally represent me in court, it is possible for the same lawyer to secretly communicate with my opponent—seeking to assist him against my claims. This is on condition that the opponent becomes willing to out-bid my offer, in terms of what the lawyer needs as remuneration.
Agreeably, the accused person, entertaining such conduct would be disgustingly corrupt. But what would you expect from a person trying to avoid consequences of whatever he would be sued for? This explains what has reduced the justice system to such disrepute. Possibly, not peculiar to Zimbabwe?
The Anti-corruption Commission was set up, to deal with corruption in Zimbabwe. But without the referred circus in the justice delivery system, the Anti-corruption Commission should be viewed as redundant. With absolute value in Justice delivery system, the anti-corruption commission cannot entirely be necessary. Innumerable incidences, gone unchecked, have long brought the justice system into apparent irreparable disrepute.
Here is a particularly interesting scenario—as highlighted during the just ended Zimbabwean General Elections—from an ordinary observer’s perspective: The Zimbabwean Constitution is clear in that the contesting parties should not use similar symbols, in order not to confuse the electorate. On dismissing the legal complaint, by one of the contestants, the learned Judge saw no urgency in handling claims of that nature against such violation.
Technically, ZEC disadvantaged both MDCA and MDC (T), by allowing the confusion in the electoral registration of their respective party symbols. Doing so, clearly violated the electoral provision in the constitution. The highly respected and constitutionally sworn Judge clearly went against what he/she was sworn to do. See [Violation of the constitution in taking oaths].
Apparently, one of the two contestants had the rightful claim to the symbols for voting purposes. The adjudication in a properly constituted Law Court, ought to have clinically resolved that—for the benefit of both contestants. But as things stand, no-one knows exactly who the beneficiary was, as a result of this, apparently, skewed legal handling? Only God knows.
Even a neophyte in the legal profession can conclude that the learned Judge was contributing immensely in bringing the entire Justice system into irreparable disrepute. Judges proudly wear their Wigs when taking seats to do what they were sworn to do. But what kind of a society are we, to allow such shameful behaviours to take place in the Law Courts?
Whether true or not, we hear that Judges are whipped to submit to the governing authorities, if desiring to live well? In other words, before passing judgment, the Judge is expected to evaluate in terms of how politically accurate the verdict is going to be.
But the entire life of ordinary individuals is intertwined in politics, one way or the other. This makes voting action something not to be taken as a casual matter. By participating in plebiscite one realizes the responsibility embroiled in political activism. Everyone cannot be a political practitioner. But everyone can be a political participant by exercising the right to vote.
However, voting itself is irrelevant, as long as those who uphold the instruments of justice fail to do what they are sworn to do. What is the purpose of voting if, at the end of the day, the vote is falsified or misrepresented by those having taken oaths to protect the public?
The Zimbabwean crisis may not necessarily be political, but shrouded in the irresponsible behaviour of those sworn to take up positions in public administration? The book of Proverbs is replete with the statement: “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Indeed, all our Zimbabwean problems start with lacking fear of the Lord—characterized in vainly taking Oaths for public administration handling.
The real challenge faced by ordinary Zimbabweans lies in the simple question: If Justice becomes injustice, where does one go, for recourse? Obviously, the answer lies in going to the Creator—The Almighty God of the universe. But, unfortunately, to access the Throne of Grace, sincerity is desirable, more than just wishful thinking—lest we take the name of the Lord in vain?
Generally, people pray for peace and unity. But if one wants to acquire a relationship with God, one needs to be honest and sincere. There are things we can honestly do, in accordance with our own share of responsibility. This starts with each and every one of us. God is capable of handling the impossible, but not the deliberately neglected responsibility. See [Irresponsible behaviour—betrays the Zimbabwean Constitution].
We are on the right track, as long as we do our part, as responsible citizens of this country. But all this starts with the fear of the Lord, according to the Book of Proverbs. If we indeed fear the Lord, we would all do the right thing, as the responsible citizens of this country. Criminals would naturally be ejected from a society that upholds ethics in its culture. The rest is secondary.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing reliefs to those having witnessed strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. In a simple conversational tone, most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long awaited providential oasis of hope.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99
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