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Justice Makarau

Daniel Nemukuyu and Fidelis Munyoro
Nine new judges — six for the High Court and three for the Supreme Court — were yesterday sworn in at a colourful ceremony held at the Constitutional Court building in Harare.

Justices Chinembiri Bhunu, Tendai Uchena and Susan Mavangira were elevated to the Supreme Court bench after serving many years at the High Court. The six new High Court judges were lawyers in private practice who succeeded among the 46 candidates who participated in the country’s inaugural public interviews held at the end of last year.

The six are Justices Davison Foroma, Edith Mushore, Clement Phiri, Nyaradzo Munangati-Manongwa, Jesta Charehwa and Tawanda Chitapi.

The newly-appointed judges took their oaths of office before Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku and they pledged to serve the nation as judges without fear or favour.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Judicial Service Commission secretary Justice Rita Makarau hailed the latest appointments saying they would go a long way in clearing the backlog of cases at the superior courts.

Justice Makarau, who is also Supreme Court Judge of Appeal, said the appointment of the new judges promoted gender equality as four female judges — one for the Supreme Court and three for the High Court — were selected.

“The selection has yielded the best results with three women in the High Court and one in the Supreme Court.

“That is quite significant,” said Justice Makarau.

Justice Makarau said when the vacancies arose, JSC intended to add six judges in a bid to clear the backlog at the High Court, but the death of Justice Andrew Mutema left them with a shortage of one.

The establishment of judges of the High Court stands at 35 while the Supreme Court has 13 judges.

The Labour Court consists of 16 judges and the Administrative Court is run by one judge.

In side interviews, some judges spoke to The Herald expressing their gratitude to the appointing authority, President Mugabe and the JSC.

Justice Chitapi said: “I would like to thank the appointing authority, being the JSC and President for affording me an opportunity to serve the nation as a judge of the High Court.

“I will try my best not to disappoint . . .”

Justice Chitapi is a lawyer of 28 years and was now a senior partner at TH Chitapi and Associates.

Justice Uchena said: “It is the grace of God.

“He is the one who holds our destiny.”

Justice Phiri, an advocate who practiced law for 29 years, had this to say: “I feel honoured and privileged to be appointed as a judge.

“I will try my best to perform to expectation.”

Justice Munangati-Manongwa, a lawyer of 23 years, was elated with her new post.

“Well am so pleased and thrilled that I have been appointed judge,” she said. “For me I owe it to the nation to serve in the dispensation of justice having been in private practice for so many years serving only a clique.

“I feel honoured and privileged that I am now able to serve the nation at large and am looking forward to my post, especially being mentored by well experienced judges. I am committed and looking forward to this.”

Justice Foroma, who has been in the private practice for 33 years could also not hide his joy saying it was time for him to participate in the distribution of justice at the highest level.

“It’s a day in one’s life time, which is welcome,” he said. “It is a promotion in terms of where we came from.”

He said the increase of judges means there will be an opportunity for everybody to receive their share of fair justice.