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Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has expressed concern over the rate at which judges are being brought before tribunals for removal from office.
In a speech read on her behalf by the LSZ vice-president Mr Lison Ncube the Society’s president Mrs Rumbidzai Matambo said there was a need to find solutions to what appears to be an alarming deterioration of ethical standards within the country’s judiciary.
“We are equally concerned about the rate at which judges are being referred to the President for the setting up of tribunals to inquire into the removal of judges from office in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution. The decision to refer a judge to the President is one not taken lightly, and it is of great concern to us when this happens. We have shared our views on this issue with both the Judicial Services Commission and Ministry and have also made suggestions on how this situation can be averted,” said Mrs Matambo.
In November last year, President Mnangagwa set up a tribunal to investigate High Court Judge Justice Webster Chinamora’s suitability to hold office after it was found that he could have allegedly engaged in gross misconduct and interfered in the course of justice and presided over matters in which he had a direct conflict of interest.
In April, Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese was suspended pending the setting up of a tribunal to preside over a matter he is alleged to have issued an order in a matter in which he had a financial interest. Supreme Court Judge Justice Francis Bere and High Court judges Justices Erica Ndewere and Thompson Mabhikwa have been fired over gross misconduct after tribunals presided over their matters.
The LSZ also said it remained gravely concerned about the rising number of bogus lawyers but paid tribute to authorities for always moving swiftly to deal with such cases as and when they are reported.
“A lot can still be done and stakeholders, particularly the media, should continue to work to uproot such malcontents from our midst. Our website will continue to carry updated lists of registered legal practitioners and those who have either been suspended or deregistered. The public is urged to demand a valid practicing certificate from a legal practitioner each time they seek to engage one. It is their right, and they should exercise it.
To this end we have never held back where the need arises to seek the deregistration of members found on the wrong side of the law, our regulations, or ethics,” said Mrs Matambo.
The Society also highlighted that it has also put in place resources for the review of the disciplinary process to enable agility and swiftness in the disposal of cases without sacrificing administrative justice.
“Administrative justice is underpinned by due process and principles of natural justice. In this regard, the Society assures all its valued stakeholders that there is no place for errant lawyers to hide. The wheels of administrative justice may turn slowly but they certainly do turn. Our processes may appear long and winding as things stand but this is as provided by law and unless there are amendments to existing legislation, we can only follow what is available to us,” said the LSZ president.
They also said continuous legal education was critical in the profession, adding that members of LSZ were being trained periodically for them to remain abreast with what is happening in their field.
“We continue to offer continuous legal training to our members. This is to make sure they are abreast of current trends. The Law Society remains committed to building the capacity of its members to effectively deliver legal services to the public. The Law Society also continues to support all law schools in the country in the development of curricula that we think will produce legal practitioners that seamlessly fit into the 21st-century society we find ourselves in. We are happy to advise that there are now five law schools in Zimbabwe with the latest being Africa University,” she added.
The society has also offered scholarships to a number of underprivileged young girls to pursue law studies at various universities in the country. The LSZ hosted a cocktail for media practitioners in Bulawayo that was accompanied by a training on court reporting facilitated by lawyer and Zimbabwe Media Commission Commissioner Mr Tanaka Muganyi. Journalists from various media houses attended. @NyembeziMu
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