The on –going treason trial of Morgan Tsvangirai, the head of Movement for Democratic Change and the recent arrest of Justice Benjamin have called into question the independence of the nation’s judiciary branch. An independent judiciary is one of the foundations of democracy. Critics of the government in Zimbabwe say that judges are subject to governmental interference. The government denies the charges. It says it has not interfered in the court system and has not intimidated judges.
Reporter Francois Nsengiyumva discussed the state of the judiciary with Dr. Simbi Mubako, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the United States and Mark Ellis, the Executive Director of the London based International Bar Association. The discussion begins with Ambassador Mubako talking about the relationship between the executive and judiciary branches of government.