derick.khumalo
Gibson Mhaka
Senior Reporter
LAW Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) president Mr Lison Ncube has pledged to contribute towards strengthening judicial independence, accountability and the efficient administration of justice following his appointment as one of the new commissioners of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Mr Ncube was sworn in by Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza alongside Dr Noah Maringe, Mr Valentine Mutatu, Mr Bothwell Nyajeka and Mrs Alice Chipo Nyamugama, marking the beginning of a new six-year term for the constitutional body charged with promoting judicial independence and ensuring the effective administration of justice in Zimbabwe.
His appointment comes only weeks after he and LSZ vice-president Ms Rachel Chibaya were elected to the Executive Council of the Southern African Development Community Lawyers’ Association (SADC-LA), a regional body representing law societies from across the SADC region.
The twin appointments have further elevated Zimbabwe’s legal profession on both the national and regional stages, underscoring growing confidence in the country’s legal practitioners.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Mr Ncube described his appointment as both a privilege and a solemn responsibility, saying he was committed to advancing the constitutional mandate of the JSC.
“I am humbly honoured to have been appointed to serve on the Commission and it gives me great honour and pleasure to contribute to the JSC’s administrative mandate, as provided in Section 190 of the Constitution, which is to promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the judiciary and maintain the administration of justice in Zimbabwe in a high state of effectiveness, efficiency and transparency,” he said.
“I look forward to adding value to a JSC whose vision is to deliver world-class justice.”
Section 190 of the Constitution mandates the JSC to safeguard the independence of the judiciary while ensuring that Zimbabwe’s justice delivery system remains effective, efficient and transparent.
Mr Ncube said his appointment to the Commission, coming on the heels of his recent election to the SADC-LA Executive Council in Maputo, Mozambique, reflected growing regional confidence in Zimbabwe’s legal profession.
“The appointment also comes in the wake of my recent election to the SADC-LA Executive Council, a body comprising 15 law societies in the SADC region.
“This regional appointment places Zimbabwe on the map and is testament to the belief that the region has in the competence and capabilities of the legal profession in Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said the recent appointments were a reflection of the progress made by the LSZ during his tenure as president.
“These recent appointments are testament to the hard work and dedication that I humbly believe I have put towards the legal profession in Zimbabwe during my tenure as President of the Law Society.”
Mr Ncube said Zimbabwe continued to produce legal practitioners whose expertise was receiving recognition beyond the country’s borders.
“This regional elevation is a clear indication that the future remains bright. Zimbabwe continues to produce leaders of distinction whose capabilities are recognised and respected throughout the region.
“The LSZ has, without doubt, maintained a strong presence and its efforts have not gone unnoticed,” he said.
He said the legal profession was becoming increasingly important as Southern Africa experienced deeper regional integration and expanding cross-border investment.
“At a time when the legal landscape is rapidly evolving, marked by increasing regional integration and the expansion of cross-border trade, the role of the legal profession becomes even more critical.
“The recent election to this regional body underscores the pivotal role of the Bar in shaping and advancing the legal profession in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Ncube.
He paid tribute to former LSZ leaders whose stewardship helped position Zimbabwe’s legal profession among the most respected in the region.
“It also reflects a continuation of the legacy built by esteemed figures such as Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, Lloyd Mhishi, Josphat Tshuma and the late Sternford Moyo, among many others, whose leadership elevated the LSZ to remarkable heights, culminating in Mr Moyo’s appointment as President of the International Bar Association.”
Mr Ncube said Zimbabwe’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination required a robust, internationally respected legal profession capable of supporting economic development.
“As Zimbabwe positions itself as open for business, with growing international interest in sectors such as mining and commercial transactions, there is an urgent need for a legal profession that is well-integrated, dynamic and globally respected.
“The Government of Zimbabwe also needs a pool of lawyers to consult from that is well-engaged internationally and regionally respected.
“This will ensure that local practitioners remain competitive and are not sidelined in favour of foreign law firms. Hence, this is a big step for Zimbabwe as a whole,” he said.
Legal analysts said Mr Ncube’s appointment to the JSC, together with his election to the SADC-LA Executive Council, reflects the increasing prominence of Zimbabwe’s legal profession within regional legal institutions at a time when the country continues to strengthen the rule of law, judicial efficiency and investor confidence.
JSC plays a central role in supporting the independence of the judiciary, overseeing the administration of the courts and ensuring that Zimbabwe’s justice delivery system continues to operate effectively in line with constitutional principles.
