Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza has defended the reassignment of Jessie Majome, who previously chaired the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, dismissing assertions that the move violated the Constitution and urging critics to refrain from what she termed emotional and politically influenced reactions.

This follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reassignment of Majome from the human rights body to serve as a commissioner in the Public Service Commission.

Mabiza said claims suggesting the reassignment was unconstitutional were misleading and failed to take into account key legal distinctions within Zimbabwe’s governance framework.

“No doubt in our constitutional context, reassignment and removal from office are two different things. Reassignment typically means a change in job responsibilities or posting, while removal from office usually implies a more serious action, often due to gross misconduct or incapacity “ she said.

She stressed that the process followed in Majome’s case was fully in line with the law.

The Attorney-General also noted that this was not the first time Majome had been reassigned, recalling her earlier transfer from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

Mabiza further called on critics to avoid politicising administrative decisions, warning that such conduct could undermine confidence in State institutions. The intention of the legislature should guide the interpretation of legal provisions. The law must be applied progressively

Her remarks come amid growing debate among legal and political analysts over recent government reassignments, some of whom have questioned their legality. However, Mabiza maintained that all procedures followed in this instance were above board.