Government of Zimbabwe Bribes Judges

Civil servants, teachers, doctors and most workers in Zimbabwe are failing to make ends meet because of poor salaries, but the so called cash strapped Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has found the money to splash out on top of the range vehicles, generators, televisions and satellite dishes for sitting judges.

The Herald newspaper said the RBZ donated a fleet of new Mercedes Benz E280 vehicles and other goods to the judges, to improve their conditions of service.

Political commentator Professor John Makumbe said the government is unashamedly bribing the judges, as there are many cases pending in the courts involving MDC members on dubious charges. He believes this is a blatant attempt to ensure the judges hand favourable judgements to ZANU PF. The outspoken political commentator said this is also a clear case of misplaced priorities.

The Master of the High Court, Charles Nyatanga, told the Herald that apart from the top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz, the judges have also been given utility vehicles, which include Toyota IMV and Isuzu trucks, courtesy of the central bank. In a clear case of undermining the independence of the judiciary and the misuse of state funds, the state mouthpiece quotes Mr Nyatanga saying; 'It was not desirable for judges to drive Mercedes Benz in rough terrain going to their farms.' He also commended the RBZ for donating generators to the judges 'at a time the country was experiencing severe power cuts.'

In recent weeks government sponsored thugs started a campaign to pull down satellite dishes at the homes of suspected MDC supporters. Professor Makumbe said: "Perhaps they have stopped the 'operation pull down dishes' and I think they are going to start the 'operation put up the dishes now,' but only if you are the right person, like a judge, the police or the army."

It is not clear if the measures being taken by the Reserve Bank, at a time when political parties are negotiating a power-sharing government, are legal. But the commentator said even with the slashing of the zeros at this particular time Gideon Gono is behaving like he is the "Vice President" of the country