By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) commissioner Obert Gutu has distanced himself from Zanu PF, claiming he is not a member of the ruling party.
The National Transitional Justice Working Group Zimbabwe (NTJWGZ) confirmed Gutu’s sentiments through a statement that was issued on Monday.
“Newly appointed NPRC commissioner Advocate Obert Gutu has denied ever joining Zanu PF,” reads part of the NTJWGZ statement.
Gutu’s denial comes at a time when NTJWGZ member the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZIMRIGHTS) recently filed an application to the High Court demanding Gutu’s ouster from his post.
ZIMRIGHTS indicated that the former MDC-T vice president must be relieved of his duties as the NPRC commissioner because he is still entitled to Zanu PF.
The demands are in line with section 236 of the Constitution, which states that any member of an independent commission should remain unattached to any political party or must relinquish the membership within 30 days of his appointment.
ZIMRIGHTS Executive Director, Dzikamai Bere indicates that an article published on Sunday 21 March titled “Why i decided to join Zanu PF” is evidence that Gutu is part of president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s led party.
However, NTJWGZ’s statement further reveals that the 58-year-old Gutu concurs with Bere’s allegations but disclosed that nothing materialised between him and Zanu PF.
“In a shock response, Gutu admitted the reports and article explaining his decision to join Zanu PF but submitted that he was yet to submit a formal application,” NTJWGZ wrote in a statement.
Furthemore, the statement also points out that the former Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Gutu, said he abandoned the idea to join Zanu PF prior to his appointed at NPRC.
Despite that Gutu added that he was not part of the Zanu PF political party by the time of his appointment as the NPRC commissioner because he had not paid the party’s required joining fee.