Chief Justice Malaba urges collaborative approach to justice delivery

Nqobile Tshili [email protected]

THE 2025 legal year in Zimbabwe begins this morning under the theme: Building Public Confidence in the Judiciary through Stakeholder Participation.

Marking a historic first for Bulawayo as it hosts the main event, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Malaba emphasised the critical role of collaboration in ensuring the effective delivery of justice, asserting that the judiciary alone cannot serve justice without support from key stakeholders.

Addressing the opening of the legal year, Chief Justice Malaba highlighted the responsibility of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to establish policies and measures that ensure both judicial independence and accountability.

“The courts must be fair and transparent to gain public trust,” he said, noting that public confidence is vital for the judiciary to function effectively.

Chief Justice Malaba pointed to establishing the Judicial Training Institute of Zimbabwe as a landmark achievement, enabling comprehensive training for both judicial and non-judicial personnel. This, he said, has significantly improved the quality of justice delivered by the courts.

Efforts to enhance public trust also extend to bringing justice closer to the people. The JSC has implemented initiatives to combat corruption and misconduct within the judiciary. Notably, no misconduct charges were brought against judges in the past year. “Judicial officers must lead by example, both in their professional roles and private lives,” he stressed.

Collaboration with other agencies is key to achieving an effective justice system, Chief Justice Malaba said, noting the pivotal roles of police investigations, witness cooperation, and the work of magistrates and judges. “E-courts alone cannot deliver justice without the active participation of all stakeholders in the process,” he explained.
As the judiciary embarks on the new legal year, the call for transparency, accountability, and collaboration underscores its commitment to delivering justice that the public can trust and respect.