Source: Zim appoints first female CJ . . . Justice Gwaunza deputised by Garwe – herald
Fidelis Munyoro
Chief Court Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has appointed Constitutional Court judge Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza as the country’s new Chief Justice.
She succeeds Chief Justice Luke Malaba whose tenure ended yesterday after 45 years on the bench.
Justice Gwaunza has been Deputy Chief Justice since 2018 and takes over as the head of the Judiciary with effect from today.
She becomes the first female Chief Justice of Zimbabwe.
The appointment, announced yesterday by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, was made in terms of Section 180(2) of the Constitution.
“Honourable (Justice) Elizabeth Gwaunza is qualified for the appointment having served as the Deputy Chief Justice since 29 March 2018 and possessing extensive judicial experience,” reads the statement.
She will be deputised by Justice Paddington Garwe, who was appointed Deputy Chief Justice.
“Honourable Mr Justice Paddington Garwe is qualified for appointment, having served as a judge of the Constitutional Court since 20 May 2021 and possessing extensive judicial experience,” reads the statement.
His experience goes back to his days as Judge president of the High Court and his long term as a judge of appeal in the Supreme Court.
The appointments come as Justice Malaba retired from his post upon reaching 75 years, in line with Section 186(1) of the Constitution, which sets the retirement age for judges at 75 at the latest.
Yesterday, judges, lawyers and State officials gathered at the Constitutional Court in Harare for a special sitting held in Justice Malaba’s honour as he closed a judicial career that began in the magistracy and ended as head of the Judiciary and the top judge.
Justice Malaba presided over constitutional cases and court reforms during his tenure as Chief Justice.
Acting President Dr Kembo Mohadi last night lauded retired Chief Justice Malaba for steering the judiciary through a decade of transformation, calling his tenure a benchmark for discipline, patience and institutional reform.
Speaking at a farewell dinner in Harare, he also said Malaba’s leadership had anchored the courts in principle at a time when public confidence in justice was under strain.
“Justice delivery is central to the development of the nation,” Acting President Mohadi said.
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