Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has removed Jessie Majome from her position as chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission following her recent criticism of parliamentary public hearings on a proposed constitutional amendment.
Majome had raised concerns over the conduct of consultations on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which seeks to extend the presidential term by two years, shift election cycles from five to seven years, and introduce a parliamentary system for electing the president.
She alleged that the public hearings were marred by intimidation and restricted access, saying that while supporters of the bill were able to express their views, dissenting voices were often excluded or harassed.
According to Majome, several venues were overcrowded, preventing many participants from gaining access to contribute to the process. She also claimed that in some locations, individuals opposing the bill were threatened, denied entry, or subjected to harassment.
“There was a strong pattern of controlled participation across most provinces,” she said, adding that some venues had restricted entry points monitored by groups of youths.
She further stated that such practices raised serious concerns about violations of constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, personal security, and equality.
Following her comments, the government announced her redeployment from the Human Rights Commission to the Public Service Commission.
In a statement issued by Chief Secretary Martin Rushwaya, the presidency said Majome had been reassigned with immediate effect in line with constitutional provisions.
Majome, a former lawmaker and legal practitioner, previously served in government during Zimbabwe’s coalition era and has been associated with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). She had faced scrutiny over her appointment in 2024 but was widely regarded as active in her role prior to the reassignment.
