Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza Becomes First Female Chief Justice in Zimbabwe

By Kudakwashe Ruzive

JUST IN | Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza today assumed the top judicial post in Zimbabwe as the new Chief Justice, succeeding Luke Malaba, who officially bed farewell to the bench today during a special sitting.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya announced the appointments in a statement Wednesday.

Justice Gwaunza is a senior judge who was appointed High Court judge in 1998 before moving to the Supreme Court in 2002. She was appointed Deputy Chief Justice in March 2018 and now assumes the country’s highest judicial office.

Dr Rushwaya also announced the appointment of Justice Paddington Garwe as Deputy Chief Justice, following his service as a Judge of the Constitutional Court since May 2021.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister, Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi paid tribute to Chief Justice Malaba for his distinguished service to the justice sector, describing him as a steadfast champion of access to justice and judicial transformation.

At 75, Chief Justice Malaba retires in line with Section 186(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which prescribes mandatory retirement upon reaching the age limit.