Namibian Chief Justice hails Zimbabwe

Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Namibia benefited immensely from the skills and expertise of judges and magistrates from Zimbabwe who made sterling contribution in improving justice delivery system during the country’s judiciary reformative years, Namibia Chief Justice Peter Shivute has said.He hailed the Zimbabwe judiciary for rendering support and urged both countries to continue sharing mutual assistance at the judiciary level.

Chief Justice Shivute made the remarks at the three-day Judges’ Symposium held for local judges in Victoria Falls last week, which sought to evaluate and reflect on the performance of the superior courts during the first quarter of the year

At attainment of independence in 1990, Chief Justice Shivute said Namibia’s courts had challenges in their efforts to dispense justice efficiently because of a restricted pool from which to appoint Namibians to judicial offices.

He said Zimbabwe’s judiciary rendered immense support by seconding one of the country’s eminent judges Justice Simpson Mtambanengwe, now retired, to join Namibia’s superior courts.

Chief Justice Shivute said there were eight Zimbabwean magistrates serving in that country’s various magisterial districts.

‘‘These pioneers from this great country (Zimbabwe) have made a sterling contribution to our jurisprudence and have laid a strong foundation after independence upon which the succeeding judges have built,” Chief Justice Shivute said.

He said the two countries’ judiciaries’ co-operation was testimony of a continually growing symbiotic relationship between them.

“We remain forever indebted to the Zimbabwean judiciary for the steadfast support rendered to our judiciary,” Chief Justice Shivute said.

In the early 90’s, the Zimbabwe judiciary seconded Justice Mtambanengwe to Namibia’s High Court.

During his stint, Justice Mtambanengwe served in various capacities including Acting Chief Justice of Namibia.

Other Zimbabwean judges among them Justice Nicholas Ndou and Justice Mafios Cheda were also appointed to Namibia’s Supreme Court and High Court benches by private arrangement.