Zimbabwe Human Right Commission Chair Majome reassigned after condemning Constitutional Amendment Number 3 

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has removed Jessie Majome from her position as Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Chairperson, barely a week after condemning parliamentary public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3.

The Bill proposes to extend Mnangagwa’s term by two years, effectively allowing him to remain in office until 2030.

It also seeks to alter the election cycle from five years to seven and to introduce a parliamentary system for electing the President, thereby placing that responsibility in the hands of Members of Parliament rather than ordinary Zimbabweans.

Widely criticised, the Bill contains a broad range of proposed changes and has attracted significant opposition, particularly from opposition leaders.

Addressing the media on Tuesday in Harare, Majome condemned the hearings, which were reportedly characterised by violence, especially in Harare, where those opposed to the Bill were denied the opportunity to contribute their views.

“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.

The Commission stated that it had observed instances where participants holding divergent views on the proposed amendments were threatened, silenced, denied opportunities to contribute, and, in some cases, physically attacked.

“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.

“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 Majome’s public remarks on the Commission’s observations, many questioned her courage in criticising the hearings.

Those concerns appear to have been borne out, as Mnangagwa has since reassigned her to the Public Service Commission (PSC) with immediate effect.

Her forthright stance on the shortcomings of the parliamentary-led hearings appears to have marked a turning point.

In a statement issued on Friday evening, the Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, confirmed the development.

“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.

Rushwaya added that the reassignment takes immediate effect.

Majome, a former Member of Parliament for Harare West and a respected lawyer, rose through the ranks of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

She also served as Deputy Minister of Justice and in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs during the Government of National Unity from 2009 to 2013.

When Mnangagwa appointed Majome in 2024, critics were quick to label her a sell-out. However, she is widely regarded as having performed her duties diligently up to the point of her reassignment.