New boss for SADC lawyers

Senior Reporter
Mozambican lawyer Mr Gilberto Caldeira Correia is the new president for the Sadc Lawyers’ Association. Mr Correia, who was elected at the end of the regional association’s 15th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Victoria Falls at the weekend, took over from Zambian top lawyer Mrs Kondwa Sakala-Chibiya. Other members of the new five-member executive are vice president Mr James Banda (Zambia), treasurer Mr Xolani Maxwell Boqwana (South Africa) and two committee members —Ms Binta Tobeza (Botswana) and Ms Nkoya Thabani (Lesotho).

The two-day SADCLA conference that was officially opened by Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa ended on Saturday with the election of the new executive.

Zimbabwean lawyer Mr Stenford Moyo of Scanlen and Holderness law firm, once headed SADCLA lawyers as president and
Ms Beatrice Mtetwa also served the association as vice president.

Outgoing president Mrs Sakala-Chibiya said Sadc was committed to working with governments in the region for development.
“The Sadc Lawyers’ Association remains committed to working with all progressive forces in the region to ensure the development of our region.

“In particular, we remain committed to working with our governments and Sadc to address issues of concern to the region, including addressing human rights and the rule of law challenges, promoting

accountable and transparent leadership, the holding of free and fair elections and ensuring that Sadc citizens generally participate in decision-making on issues that affect them,” she said.

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Fortune Chasi, Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba, 17 judges of the Zimbabwean superior courts, Attorney- General of Malawi Mr Kalekeni Kaphale, South Africa High Court judge Justice Thoba Poyo-Dlwati and at least 400 practising lawyers from the region attended the conference.