As an ex-policeman in Zimbabwe, I am very conscious of the rampant lawlessness that constantly raises its head in that country. The fact that I worked as a prosecutor in criminal courts at that time also means that I have a vested interest in that sector.

In fact, you might even say that I am at my most comfortable working in court.

And it is not the normal murders, assaults, rapes and robberies that caught my attention just yesterday.

It was the cold, crass and blatant manner in which Mugabe and his loyalists are attempting to twist the constitution, the rules and regulations to suit their own purposes.

I don’t mean the manner in which they have any MDC members and civic-minded civilians regularly beaten and arrested - no, I mean something a little more sinister.

Last week, we read how the top cop in the land, Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri sent one of his underlings - one Godwin Matanga - around the various police stations and courts to have all criminal dockets against any ZANU PF people for murder to be dropped, and any like charges in criminal courts to be withdrawn… all reportedly in the name of “national healing”..

Initially, I was interested because the story only accounted for cases against Mugabe-ites - I wondered (and worried) about the MDC activists that had cases against them, although I do not think that there are any murder cases pending.

Then, this week, Mugabe himself stated that he “can only exercise his prerogative of mercy on dozens of incarcerated Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists, alleged to be plotters of terrorism, only when the court process has been exhausted.”

Now - consider this. ZANU PF murderers are set to be free from any justice - they are not even going to spend one day in court - whilst MDC members accused of terrorism are set to be processed through a court of law…

ZANU PF members are due to remain free on the streets to kill again - should they get the message from the highest office in the land, whilst MDC members - among them, the unlikely figures of former ZBC television presenter, Jestina Mukoko, and an aged former advisor to Morgan Tsvangirai - if I am not mistaken he is in his seventies… - are obliged to remain incarcerated on remand (even though there is a High Court order to have the activists removed to a hospital to receive medical treatment following their torture in prison).

So - is Mugabe using his position to excuse the actions of his minions? It would appear so!

But is this rash use of his considerable powers questionable?

In any court in any country anywhere in the world (apart from ones that make excuses for Mugabe), I do believe that my case is not only watertight, but would result in the conviction of one Robert Gabriel Mugabe, and would also see the prosecution of several senior cops - and the rapid re-arrest of the accused murderers - and the continuation of their prosecution for illegally taking lives…

Justice in Zimbabwe is not only a very tough nut to crack, it can also be a very bitter pill to swallow.

I rest my case.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man