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Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
HIGH Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu has been elected as Judge of the Court of the First Instance Division of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Court of Justice.
In a statement, Comesa said his election was done this week during the first extraordinary meeting of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General held on the side lines of the Comesa Policy Organs meetings in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
“The new judge will be sworn in during the 19th Heads of State and governments summit on 18th October 2016 (yesterday) at Ivato International conference centre in Antananarivo,” said the trading bloc.
Speaking during the brief meeting, Madagascar Minister of Justice Charles Andriamiseza was quoted as having underscored the need for a functional court system for Comesa to help in the implementation of the Free Trade Area and deepen regional integration.
“The Court should continue its key role of ensuring economic integration by bringing justice to the common market,” said Minister Andriamiseza.
Secretary General Mr Sindiso Ngwenya urged the member States to strengthen the Comesa Court by ensuring that it is well resourced so that it consolidates its independence for effective delivery of justice.
“It is a fact that Courts now are no longer seen as tools for resolving commercial rivalries but tools for development through the assurance of social justice and fairness,” he said.
The extraordinary meeting was called for the sole purpose of sitting as an electoral college under the Rules of Procedure for the election of the Judges of the Comesa Court of Justice.
The Judge President of the Comesa Court Lady Justice Lombe Chibesakunda and the Court’s Registrar Ms Nyambura Mbatia were present during the deliberations.
Meanwhile, Lady Justice Qinisile Mabuza of Swaziland has been appointed as the Principal Judge of the Comesa Court of Justice to replace the late Justice Andrew Mutema.
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