ED swears in new Prosecutor-General

Source: ED swears in new Prosecutor-General | The Herald 24 JAN, 2019

President Mnangagwa swears in new Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi at State House in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Justin Mutenda

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday swore in Mr Kumbirai Hodzi as the country’s substantive Prosecutor-General.

Mr Hodzi, who was Acting PG since July 24 last year, was yesterday confirmed substantive head of prosecution at a colourful ceremony held at State House in Harare.

Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Hodzi said he was geared to escalate the fight against corruption through improving the quality of dockets and prosecution.

Mr Hodzi said quality investigations and prosecution of cases were key to ensure conviction of all those who are guilty of graft.

“We want to improve the quality of investigations, dockets and the prosecution of matters to ensure that the guilty are sent to jail,” said Mr Hodzi.

He said his office had received corruption complaints against some magistrates and prosecutors.

President Mnangagwa and his deputies — Cdes Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi — pose for a photograph with Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi after his swearing-in ceremony at State House in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Justin Mutenda)

The cases are under investigation.

“After what happened recently at Harare Magistrates Court, we received a number of complaints against magistrates and prosecutors. Investigations are already underway,” he said.

Mr Hodzi vowed to unearth all the corruption cartels in the justice system which include lawyers, judicial officers and prosecutors.

Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi attended the ceremony.

Mr Hodzi replaced Advocate Ray Goba, who resigned mid last year.

Prior to July 24, 2018, Mr Hodzi was Deputy Attorney-General in charge of the Legal Advice Section since 2012.

The race for the substantive PG’s post had 10 candidates who were publicly interviewed in November last year.

Mr Hodzi was among the top performers whose names were forwarded to the presidium for appointment.

10 quick facts about PG Hodzi

• Deputy Attorney-General of Zimbabwe in-charge of the Legal Advice Section since 2012.
• A lawyer of 35 years
• Once served as a magistrate
• Served as a prosecutor and law officer
• Once attached to the Criminal Tribunal (as a prosecutor).
• Practiced as a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
• Served as a law lecturer, legal proctor and chairperson of the Legal Advice Clinic.

Education

• Holds a law degree from the University of Zimbabwe
• First Class Master’s degree in International Public Law (University of Lund, Sweden).
• Studying towards a doctorate in International Law.

The other candidates were: Mrs Noria Mashumba, Mrs Florence Ziyambi, Ms Jessie Majome, Mrs Wendy Chingeya, Justice Maphios Cheda, Mr Misheck Hogwe, Mr Tinomudaishe Chinyoka, Mr Edmund Marondedza and Mr Tichaona Mantsebo.

JSC advertised the post in the press following the resignation of Adv Goba in September last year after he was suspended from office on a raft of allegations of misconduct such as failing to prosecute high-profile cases, travelling without Cabinet authority and use of abusive language.

The office of the PG has become a hot seat, with two previous prosecutor-generals have been fired for misconduct.

Adv Goba was the third PG to leave office in recent times.

President Mnangagwa invites newly sworn-in Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi for a meeting at State House in Harare yesterday

The first to be removed from office was former Attorney-General Mr Sobusa Gula-Ndebele in May 2008, who doubled as head of criminal prosecution and civil litigation.

He was fired for conducting himself in a manner inconsistent with public office.

The dismissal followed recommendations by a tribunal which investigated him.

Mr Gula-Ndebele was succeeded by Mr Johannes Tomana, who was also removed from office last year after a tribunal found him to be grossly incompetent in the execution of his duties.

Mr Hodzi served as Deputy Attorney General of Zimbabwe in-charge of the Legal Advice section since 2012.

He is an experienced lawyer of 34 years, who has practiced law in different capacities, and once served as a magistrate for years.

Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi is congratulated by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi at State House in Harare yesterday

Mr Hodzi was also a prosecutor and law officer for many years, and was once attached to the Criminal Tribunal.

He also practiced as a solicitor in the United Kingdom.

Mr Hodzi served as a law lecturer, legal proctor and chairperson of the Legal Advice Clinic.

He holds a law degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a first class Master’s degree in International Public Law (University of Lund, Sweden).

He is studying towards a doctorate in International Law.