Harare – Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza as the Chief Justice after the retirement of Justice Luke Malaba.
Justice Gwaunza becomes Zimbabwe’s first female Chief Justice.
She served as Malaba’s deputy for years before her elevation to the top judiciary post.
The appointment of Chief Justice Gwaunza is with immediate effect.
Mnangagwa also appointed Justice Paddington Garwe the deputy Chief Justice.
Malaba’s term was extended five years ago in a controversial move that was questioned by ordinary people who expected him to retire once he turned 70 years.
Chief Justice Gwaunza and deputy Chief Justice Garwe face a mammoth task ahead of the constitutional case hearing which is before the courts that is against the amendment of the constitution to extend Mnangagwa’s power to 2030.
The country and the world will be observing the constitutional court when it handles the matter and delivers the ruling.
The former Chief Justice Malaba was accused of being compromised when he and other judges delivered a ruling that said the 2023 elections were free and fair despite glaring irregularities.
The Zimbabwe judiciary has largely been accused of being captured by the executive and ruling ZANU PF party.