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Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has removed Jessie Majome as chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, less than a week after she criticised public hearings on a proposed constitutional amendment.
Majome had raised concerns over the conduct of parliamentary hearings on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which proposes extending the president’s tenure by two years, shifting election cycles from five to seven years, and introducing a parliamentary system for electing the president.
Speaking in Harare earlier in the week, she said the hearings were marked by limited access and intimidation, noting that while supporters of the bill were allowed to speak, dissenting voices were often shut out or harassed.
“Most of the venues were small, relative to turnout leading to large numbers of potential participants failing to enter the halls to follow or contribute to the proceedings.
“Whilst those in support of the Constitutional Amendment were able to give their views, the Commission noted the harassment and intimidation of dissenting voices. Individuals and groups opposed to CAB3 were denied audience,” Majome said.
She also indicated that the commission observed cases where participants with opposing views were threatened, denied the opportunity to contribute, or physically attacked. In some locations, access to venues was reportedly controlled, with participants screened before entry.
“There was a strong pattern of controlled participation across most provinces. Some entrances to venues were often controlled by youths, with vetting at entry points and supervised sign-in registers with restricted access. For example in Mashonaland West, men holding whips were involved in vetting participants in Mhondoro Ngezi,” Majome added.
She said such developments raised concerns about violations of constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, personal security and equality.
“Such conduct violates the rights enshrined in the Constitution including freedom of expression (section 61), freedom of conscience (section 60), right to human dignity (section 51), personal security (section 52) and equality and nondiscrimination (section 56).”
Following her remarks, the presidency announced her reassignment to the Public Service Commission of Zimbabwe.
In a statement issued on Friday evening, Chief Secretary Martin Rushwaya said the president had approved her redeployment with immediate effect in line with constitutional provisions.
“In terms of Section 202 (1)(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has re-assigned Ms Fungayi Jessie Majome from the position of the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to the position of Commissioner in the Public Service Commission,” he said.
Majome, a former lawmaker and senior legal practitioner, previously served in government during the coalition administration and has been associated with the Movement for Democratic Change(MDC). Despite earlier criticism over her appointment in 2024, she had been widely regarded as effective in her role prior to the reassignment.
