When we go down the annals of this country’s history,
specifically the 2018 harmonised elections, Justice Priscilla Chigumba will
feature prominently.
She was at the
centre of it all and she held herself very well. Before taking over one of the
toughest jobs in the highly politicised country called Zimbabwe, Justice
Chigumba had already made her mark as a judge of the High Court.
In 2016, the High Court judge became a darling of
activists, human rights defenders and the opposition political parties after
delivering a brave judgement in which she overturned a Government ban against
demonstrations in Harare.
A year later, the valiant woman again came under the
spotlight when she ruled that there was no evidence to convict #ThisFlag
founder, Pastor Evan Mawarire, on allegations of attempting to overthrow Mr
Robert Mugabe’s Government.
With such an impressive and indelible footprint, it is
almost difficult to believe that Justice Chigumba was sworn in as a magistrate
just 13 short years ago and made it to the High Court bench in 2012.
Then the young woman found herself at the very centre of
Zimbabwe’s historic elections and it didn’t seem to unnerve her.
With 23 Presidential aspirants and 133 contesting parties,
she had her work cut out — especially with an opposition MDC-Alliance
determined to dispute every single move she made.
The MDC-Alliance called her a prostitute, they accused her
of being biased, and they tried to make Zec only what they opposition wanted.
She did not flinch. She firmly told the world that only an earthquake could
stop the elections after the proclamation of the date by the President.
“As I have already said, not even the Government of
Zimbabwe can direct or control Zec to do anything or not do anything,” said
Justice Chigumba, who — like a diamond — got harder as the heat and pressure
increased.
There was no earthquake, and Justice Chigumba oversaw the
elections in an unwavering, calm, confident and professional manner.
When some quarters claimed she was delaying the
announcement of the Presidential results, Justice Chigumba reminded Zimbabweans
that Zec was well within constitutional timelines. Zec had five days to give
the results. It did it in just about three.
Professionalism and steadfastness are not the only words
that capture the essence of Justice Chigumba; her sense of fashion is also on
point.
Considering her tight schedule, it was amazing how she
always made sure she came before the world’s cameras showcasing the best of
Zimbabweans beauty.
On a lighter (but very important) note, however, it is my
opinion that the only thing that was a total mess during the just-ended polls
was the fact that the women of Zimbabwe were notified rather late that their
manicure would not be allowed on their pinkie fingers to pave way for the
indelible ink.
Imagine, the fairer sex had to sacrifice their expensive
nails to cast their votes. If only they had been told earlier.
Indeed, the naked pinkie nails that we have been seeing of
late have been an eyesore. Maybe the new President can consider taking the
women for a manicure. Just saying. Sunday
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