Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court is scheduled to hear a case challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa's decision to remove Jessie Majome as chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and reassign her to the Public Service Commission (PSC). The case, filed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, argues that the removal violated constitutional provisions regarding the independence of the commission.
According to court documents, the applicants contend that the president's action undermines the ZHRC's autonomy, as guaranteed under Section 242 of the Zimbabwean Constitution. The hearing is set for July 2026, though a specific date has not been publicly confirmed.
Jessie Majome, a lawyer and former member of parliament, was appointed ZHRC chair in 2023. Her reassignment to the PSC was announced in a government gazette in early 2026, sparking criticism from human rights groups who say it sets a dangerous precedent for the independence of state institutions.
The Constitutional Court's decision is expected to have significant implications for the separation of powers and the protection of human rights in Zimbabwe. The court has not yet issued a ruling on the matter.
