Zanu PF activist Goodson Nguni on Wednesday accused the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and its former chairperson Jesse Majome of publishing “falsehoods, half-truths and fabrications” over alleged intimidation during the constitution-making process.
Nguni, who fronts the little-known Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations, told a press conference that reports of people being coerced, assaulted or threatened during outreach meetings were “all lies”.
He alleged political bias on Majome’s part, questioning her links to opposition politics and whether she had severed ties with the MDC upon her appointment.
Nguni also challenged the ZHRC’s legal standing, arguing that the commission is not properly constituted. He said only three commissioners remain, short of the constitutional quorum of five required to make binding decisions.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no Commission,” he said, dismissing the report as a personal statement by Majome rather than an institutional position.
He further claimed similarities between Majome’s assertions and those made by former Finance minister Tendai Biti’s organisation, adding that his group has written to the ZHRC demanding clarity on when such findings were adopted and whether a lawful sitting was held.
Nguni said his organisation would approach the High Court to have the report set aside and would report the commission to the police for alleged legal breaches.
He also criticised Majome’s reassignment from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to the ZHRC, warning against what he described as abuse of the President.
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“We will not allow anyone to abuse the President,” Nguni said, adding that his group would act to “protect the integrity of the office”.
On the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill (CAB 3), Nguni said Parliament has the authority to alter election cycles and insisted the changes do not extend the President’s term.
“What Parliament is going to do is to change the election cycle,” he said, arguing that dissenting citizens should contest elections and seek to amend the law through Parliament.
He accused critics of defending a “regime change Constitution” and claimed Zanu PF supporters were themselves barred from speaking and intimidated during outreach meetings. Nguni added that police should investigate the authorship of the ZHRC statement, which he insists was issued without a lawful quorum.
