Gift Mashoko

Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) Honourable Jacob Mudenda has condemned attempts by sections of media and some members of the CSRO to criticise the appointment process of the proposed Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo.

“The CSRO would like to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the nefarious attempts by sections of the media and some unethical Members of the CSRO to cast aspersions on the appointment process and the person and integrity of the proposed Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo as reported in the story carried by the Zimbabwe Independent of the March 29 to April 4 2019 under the headline “Uproar over Mnangagwa’s pick for new ZACC chair,” said Advocate Mudenda in a press statement.

He went on to say the publication of the story by the Zimbabwe Independent was a shameless attempt at agenda-setting by the media and some unprofessional members of the CSRO who intended to manipulate public opinion against the proposed appointment of Justice Matanda-Moyo, with the hope of influencing the decision of the CSRO.

The story is said to have been one-sided, slanting on focusing on Justice Matanda-Moyo’s marital status and conveniently ignoring the fact that she is extremely qualified for the post, a fact which the CSRO unanimously agreed on.

Advocate Mudenda went on to say that, “It is hardly surprising therefore that reference is made to her rich resume, her undoubted professional competence and her impeccable character. Equally the paper and its sources choose to ignore the fact that the proposed appointment of a competent and highly qualified lady Justice chair this important Commission is a clear confirmation of a deliberate drive towards “promoting the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society on the basis of equality with men” as enjoined by Section 17(a) of a Constitution of Zimbabwe.”

Advocate Mudenda highlighted that the CSRO were not influenced in their choice for a Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission as they follow the constitution.

CSRO dismissed the insinuation that the Committee was “under instructions” to approve the appointment of Justice Matanda-Moyo with the contempt it deserves. Advocate Mudenda highlighted that one of the founding values and principles on which Zimbabwe and its Constitution are based is the observance of the principle of separation of powers.

“Parliament and by extension the CSRO is thus empowered by the Constitution to make its own decisions independent of the Executive or any other Arm of State. The fact the CSRO chooses to agree with the Executive or any other institution for that matter does not by any stretch of the imagination point to the overbearing influence, but rather to a convergence of minds on that particular matter which is acceptable in any democratic dispensation,” he said.

He highlighted that the CSRO’s assurance to the public that such shameless and unethical attempts by some unprincipled Members of the CSRO to sway the Committee’s decision will not succeed, as it remains stoic in its resolve to ensure a credible appointment process grounded in the requirements of the supreme law of the land and the national interest.