Source: Stop intimidating judicial officers, says Minister Ziyambi – herald
Yeukai Karengezeka
Herald Correspondent
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has implored citizens to respect and support judicial officers to enable them to carry out their duties without interference or intimidation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the official opening of the legal year, presided over by Chief Justice Luke Malaba in Harare on Monday, Minister Ziyambi underscored the importance of insulating judicial officers from undue influence and threats.
Reflecting on Chief Justice Malaba’s address, Minister Ziyambi, said it is crucial to decentralise judicial services to improve access to justice across the country and strengthen the judiciary’s independence.
“Today’s event is significant as it marks the start of the legal year. The Chief Justice delivered a powerful speech emphasising the need to decentralise the justice system to bring services closer to the people. This will ensure greater independence and efficiency in the judiciary,” he said.
However, Minister Ziyambi expressed concern over the growing trend of name-dropping and intimidation of judicial officers, which he described as a major threat to the justice system.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is the intimidation of judicial officers and prosecutors, with individuals name-dropping and claiming the involvement of ‘big people’ to manipulate the outcomes of cases,” he said.
“This undermines the integrity of our justice system. As the Chief Justice said, we must take decisive action to stop this practice and protect our officers.”
He also emphasised the importance of public awareness, urging citizens to refrain from exerting undue pressure on judicial officers.
“If judicial officers are insulated from undue influence, they can independently adjudicate cases, which will significantly improve the justice system,” he added.
Responding to questions about the accountability of judicial officers, Minister Ziyambi assured the public that there are robust disciplinary processes within the judicial system to deal with misconduct.
“Depending on the case, the judiciary is capable of addressing any issues internally. However, the focus should remain on ensuring the public does not intimidate or pressure our officers,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Chief Justice Malaba revealed that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) handled 6 584 cases that were dismissed at the High Courts last year.
He criticised legal practitioners who file cases without the intent to prosecute, calling the practice unprofessional and detrimental to the justice system.
Law Society of Zimbabwe president, Mr Lison Ncube, reassured the public of the legal profession’s dedication to ethical conduct and integrity.
He acknowledged concerns about case backlogs, delays and logistical challenges but reaffirmed the profession’s commitment to delivering justice promptly and fairly.
“The Chief Justice has prioritised improving access to justice and we are committed as stakeholders to complement these efforts,” he said.
“Our legal practitioners are dedicated to ensuring that justice reaches every corner of the country.”
He also encouraged the public to formally report unethical behaviour within the legal profession to enable proper investigations.
“We can only act when complaints are brought to us. As a regulatory authority, we are committed to upholding ethical standards and addressing any issues that arise,” he added.
Senior legal expert, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, commended the judiciary for improving the timely delivery of judgments at the upper courts.
“The rate of judgment delivery in 2025 has been very impressive. This is a job well done,” said Prof Madhuku.
However, he pointed out challenges with the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS), which is being rolled out particularly in remote areas where network issues disrupt court proceedings.
He called for further improvements to address these gaps and ensure the system benefits all citizens.
The opening of the legal year highlighted significant strides in improving the judiciary’s efficiency and access to justice.
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