Women’s organisation displeased by Mohadi reappointment

Women organisation displeased by VP appointment

Staff Reporter

Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) has expressed disillusionment over the reinstatement of Kembo Mohadi as Vice-President.

Mohadi  was forced to step down from the presidium in 2021 following alleged involvement in sex scandals with one of his security aides.

In a statement, WALPE described Mohadi’s re-appointment as an injustice.

“As a women’s rights organisation that advocates and fights for gender equality and an end to all forms of violence against women, Mr Mohadi’s re-appointment stinks in the face of justice for all survivors of sexual abuse by men. It is an indictment on the highest office of the land that women’s rights are of no importance,” the organisation said.

WALPE argued that Mohadi should have been proven innocent before retaking the second most important job in the land.

“Sexual abuse of women is a serious offence which should not be taken lightly, regardless of what position one holds in the country. While everyone is deemed innocent until proven guilty, the academy is of the assertion that Mohadi should not have been elevated back to the position of second citizen of the country until he was cleared of all the allegations levelled against him.”

The organisation  also took the opportunity to advocate for the appointment of a female Vice President. Currently, Zimbabwe has an all-male presidium composed of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga. Mnangagwa went on to name six women as cabinet ministers out of a total of twenty-six ministers.

“That being said WALPE suggests that a woman be appointed as one of the Vice-Presidents in line with sections 17, 56 and 80 (of the Constitution) that allow for gender equality in all spheres. This will allow for women to also be included in all decision-making processes while also advocating for gender inclusive and responsive policies in the highest office.”

WALPE urged the president to tackle issues of sexual abuse of women seriously regardless of the perpetrator and called on Mohadi to step down until he is cleared of any wrong doing.