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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Sixteen Chief Justices from East and Southern Africa are expected to converge in Victoria Falls for the Southern Africa Chief Justices’ conference and annual general meeting slated for month end. Each of them will be accompanied by a senior judge from their jurisdictions, but Zambia Chief Justice Irene Mambilima is expected to bring with her at least 14 other judges.
President Mugabe is expected to officially open the three-day conference, which begins on August 27.
This will be the first time Zimbabwe will be hosting the high-profile judiciary gathering since the forum was established in 2006.
The forum has held its Annual General Meetings and Conferences in South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia as each Chief Justice takes a turn to host his or her counterparts.
According to the statement posted on the Judicial Service Commission website, the overall objective of the conference is to provide space for judiciaries in East and Southern Africa to share achievements, best practices and innovations in justice delivery.
“To this end the conference will seek to create a platform for judiciaries that have excelled in a variety of areas to showcase their achievements,” read the statement.
The conference will also provide a platform for “the sharing of experiences and best practice for the promotion and protection of fair trial rights in Africa and make known the Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa.”
The Chief Justices will also seek to reaffirm the role of judicial independence, enhance awareness and further develop capacity and create a basis for the development of a special interest network on Fair Trial Rights.
The theme of the conference is: “Guaranteeing the Right to a Fair Trial in Africa: Showcasing Best Practices from the region”.
Chief Justice Chidyausiku is excited to host the conference.
“I am excited by the theme chosen for this year’s Conference, which focuses on the best practices that can be found within our region,” he said in statement also posted on the JSC website last week.
“I know that there are many such best practices in the region that seek to guarantee the right to a fair trial.”
He said sharing and exchanging notes on best practices could only make the jurisprudence from this region richer and further entrench the rule of law.
Chief Justice Chidyausiku also expressed hope that apart from the serious business of discussing legal issues of mutual interest, the delegates would take time out to enjoy the ambience offered by the Victoria Falls and its surrounding areas.
Online Reporter