There is no intimidation of judges - Chinamasa

Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said on Wednesday media reports that judges had been intimidated and feared for their lives were “mere media fabrication”, news reports said on Thursday. Speaking at a news conference in Pretoria, he said: “My government is for the rule of law.” Chinamasa had earlier met with South African Justice Minister Penuell Maduna to brief him about the situation in Zimbabwe. Chinamasa said his call for a reform of the judiciary to reflect the composition of Zimbabwean society could not be seen as an attack on the institution. He added that the land issue “was at the heart” of all the concerns expressed about Zimbabwe. Chinamasa said he had the right to criticise the courts for seeing it fit to stop the lawful acquisition of land, a decision that “left a lot to be desired on legal principles”. Chinamasa said certain elements of South African society owed it to Zimbabwe to help solve its problems. “We could do it a lot quicker if it were not for the negative publicity and interference from some elements in South Africa,” he said. Meanwhile, Maduna said he was satisfied with what Chinamasa had told him. He said that until their meeting, the only information he had was from the media. “I couldn’t develop concerns based on what the media said, knowing the media as I do,” Maduna told journalists.