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Marytise Vambayi-Herald Reporter

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) secretary Mr Walter Chikwana has been appointed chairperson of a regional group of court administrators, the Southern African Judicial Administrators Association (SAJAA).

He takes over from Namibia’s Mrs Rolanda van Wyk, who retired last month.

Mr Chikwana will also assume another position of deputy chairperson for the International Association of Court Administrators (IACA), which was also previously held by Namibia.

SAJAA was formed mid-2017 in Namibia and a number of countries are part of it. 

It started with four countries, including Zimbabwe, in 2017, but the membership increased annually cover the who region.

It supports court systems on the continent.

SAJAA aims at providing standard training for administrators of the judiciaries in Africa to ensure quality of justice in all the countries.

Addressing the members in a speech to hand over the chairmanship to Zimbabwe recently, Mrs van Wyk said she had confidence in Mr Chikwana.

“Now, given my health condition, I regrettably had to retire from SAJAA and IACA. 

“The work of both associations must continue and accordingly, Mr Chikwana as the chairperson, I have no doubt that with your able leadership, the associations will continue to thrive,” she said.

In an interview, Mr Chikwana said he was ready to continue from where Mrs Van Wyk left.

“We feel honoured, as Zimbabwe, to be appointed to such leadership positions. SAJAA being a grouping of judicial administrators, we look forward to organise standard training for all court managers and registry staff on the continent to make them as efficient as possible.

“With such efficiency, our courts will then be able to dispense world-class justice to all,” he said.