Outrage As: Tendai Biti Awarded Rule of Law Prize Despite Assisting Mnangagwa Break The Law And Destroy Parliamentary Freedoms
By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Harare, Zimbabwe – In a development that collapses public trust in the Law Society of Zimbabwe, former Harare East MP and lawyer Tendai Biti has controversially received the 2024 Walter Kamba Rule of Law Award, despite mounting evidence that he directly facilitated Emmerson Mnangagwa’s destruction of Zimbabwe’s parliamentary democracy. While the award is meant to honor contributions to justice and the rule of law, Biti’s role in aiding Mnangagwa’s rise in the SADC condemned 2023 electoral aftermath and shielding his regime from accountability, has been exposed in damning detail.
The Law Society posted a picture of Biti holding the golden trophy, amid smiles before the cameras.
The Role Biti Played in Protecting Mnangagwa’s Regime.
Far from being an accusation, evidence shows that Tendai Biti actively enabled Mnangagwa’s regime to solidify its control over Zimbabwe’s political system, undermining democratic institutions and disenfranchising the Zimbabwean people.
Human rights advocate Comfort Dondo exposed Biti for sabotaging key efforts to hold Mnangagwa accountable for his unconstitutional seizure of power and election rigging. Dondo provided detailed accounts of how Biti ignored multiple opportunities to challenge Mnangagwa’s regime, including refusing to pursue legal actions that could have led to Mnangagwa being banned from international platforms like the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In one of the most damning revelations, Dondo revealed that in September 2022, Biti abandoned a well-planned mission in Zambia designed to secure a legal ruling that would expose Mnangagwa’s crimes against democracy, particularly his role in orchestrating the 2018 coup.
Dondo stated:
“Biti’s failure to follow through was not accidental. He deliberately turned his back when Zimbabwe needed him the most. The evidence was there—broadcast proof of Mnangagwa’s crimes during the 2018 coup—but Biti chose to protect the dictator rather than fight for the people.”
As a result of Tendai Biti’s aiding and abetting of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s law-breaking, Zimbabwe has suffered severe consequences:
1. Destruction of Parliamentary Democracy: Lawmakers have been stripped of their ability to pass competent laws, leaving legislative processes paralyzed and undermining governance.
2. Loss of Legal Freedoms: The ability to legally challenge Mnangagwa’s government on its law-breaking has been eroded, silencing critical accountability mechanisms.
3. Collapse of the Opposition: Biti’s “Anga Apera Ega” operation directly contributed to the destruction of the opposition, weakening its capacity to counter ZANU PF’s dominance.
4. Human Rights Abuses Go Unnoticed: A weakened opposition has paved the way for a new era of unchecked human rights abuses, with violations likely to go unchallenged and unaddressed.
These outcomes collectively signify a grim reality for Zimbabwe’s democracy and rule of law
Ignoring Opportunities to Protect Democracy.
Dondo’s exposé goes further, showing how Biti ignored warnings from allies and legal advisors that could have prevented ZANU PF from manipulating the 2023 elections. In March 2023, it was reported that Biti was informed of a Justice Ministry directive to block him from contesting elections. Instead of taking legal or political action, Biti ignored the warnings, allowing ZANU PF to proceed unchallenged in sabotaging the opposition’s democratic efforts.
Furthermore, Biti’s refusal to act in 2022—when he was presented with an opportunity to secure a United Nations-level ruling against Mnangagwa—has been described as a turning point that allowed the regime to gain international legitimacy despite its blatant disregard for the will of the people.
“Biti didn’t just fail to act; he actively shielded Mnangagwa,” said critic, Baba Jukwa. “This was not incompetence. It was a calculated betrayal of the people of Zimbabwe. By the time the 2023 elections came, Mnangagwa was stronger than ever, and Biti’s actions—or inaction—were directly responsible.”
How Biti Sabotaged the Opposition.
The fallout of Biti’s actions was most visible within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Zimbabwe’s main opposition party. Despite claiming that CCC colleagues sabotaged his political career, evidence points to Biti’s own actions as the root cause of his downfall.
Biti’s public blame of CCC leaders such as Allan Markham, whom he accused of “rigging” internal processes, has been widely discredited. Instead, Dondo and other insiders revealed that Biti alienated himself from the party by prioritizing personal grievances over collective strategies to challenge ZANU PF’s authoritarian grip.
Complicity in Destroying Parliamentary Democracy.
Biti’s role in enabling ZANU PF’s destruction of parliamentary democracy has been laid bare. Evidence confirms that he had both the legal tools and political leverage to challenge Mnangagwa’s regime but consistently chose not to act. By failing to stand against ZANU PF’s manipulation of Zimbabwe’s institutions, Biti effectively abandoned the millions of Zimbabweans who relied on him to uphold the principles of justice and democracy.
A Controversial Award Amid Betrayal
The decision to honor Biti with the Walter Kamba Rule of Law Award has been met with widespread condemnation. Many Zimbabweans see the award as a mockery of the rule of law, given Biti’s proven role in enabling the regime responsible for dismantling the country’s democratic framework.
“What rule of law?,” asked Ruyedzo Mutizwa, writing on X.
“This award is an insult to the millions of Zimbabweans who suffer daily under the very dictatorship that Biti helped strengthen,” said one commentator.
Legacy of Betrayal
Tendai Biti’s legacy is now mired in betrayal. Once seen as a champion of democracy, the evidence shows that he prioritized his own political survival over the people of Zimbabwe. His refusal to confront Mnangagwa’s regime, despite having the power to do so, not only cemented the dictator’s position but also destroyed any hope for parliamentary democracy in Zimbabwe.
The Walter Kamba Rule of Law Award, instead of celebrating his achievements, has become a symbol of Zimbabwe’s fractured opposition and the devastating consequences of political betrayal. For many Zimbabweans, Biti’s award is a painful reminder of how those entrusted with defending democracy can instead enable its destruction.
The Law Society did not respond to requests for comment.
As the backlash grows, Biti remains silent, leaving unanswered questions about his actions and the irreversible damage they have caused to Zimbabwe’s democratic aspirations.
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